A little about professional photography, my style, my approach and my process

PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY

I’ve been working in commercial photography since 2008 and seen many changes in people’s attitude to photography, equipment and the value placed on created imagery.

For some the relevance and importance of professionally crafted imagery remains (my ideal clients), and for others the DIY smartphone/social media marketing model is the way forward.

I’ve been around long enough to know that some businesses will “succeed” to a degree, even using lack lustre photographs and poor marketing strategies. Of course there are many other factors at play such as lack of competition, market share and even the scale and type of business.

However, it is my firm belief that professionally crafted imagery is the ultimate tool to define a business and give it the best way forward in a bland and crowded marketplace.

MY STYLE

Style is more about being “fit for purpose” rather than the exclusive domain of the photographer. Every assignment is different, with its own purpose and outcomes. I’ve seen trends come and go. As I write, there is a lot of dark, moody and grainy images around tourism. Bold intense colours with hard shadows in packaged food and beverage. Of course this may be different next season and photographers who are stuck on one style may disappear.

As a professional photographer, I work with clients to establish their requirements for the best outcome for their specific marketing portfolio.

That said, if you tried to pin me down on a “style”, my portfolio would suggest “bright, vibrant, clear and happy”. I rely on “love, light and luck”, mostly in that order, although light plays a key role in developing an extra dimension to my created images. As a professional, I have the ability to enhance, adapt and utilise my skills and experience to create your ultimate portfolio, regardless of style or fashion.

MY APPROACH

I am a professional with many years of experience across a broad range of genres and styles. I have a diverse and creative life experience, a love of people and businesses that create, dream big and “have a go”.

I work hard at building long and trusting relationships with my clients, so rest assured that I am here for you, your business and your success.

I am a collaborative problem solver with a strong ability to adapt and flex.

The buzz of working to create intrinsic value for my clients is deeply rewarding and well worth the effort and your investment in my services.

MY PROCESS

I have a streamlined process that enables me to collaborate with seasoned marketing agencies to first time clients. From long haul projects to seemingly simple assignments, planning is essential.

There are many questions that need to be asked to form both the scope and cost of the projected assignments.

Most often the first question I field from a potential client is related to price such as “How much do you charge per hour?

Closely followed by “It will only take an hour at most to do the job”.

Hourly hire is a restraint people apply to help them understand how photography will fit into their budget.

The time they allocate to create the imagery is often related to how much or how little they would prefer to spend.

However, the professional approach to a project is to establish a budget, and blend this to a brief/style/mood guide, a wish list/shot list, (around the expected outcomes) and the nitty gritty of location/s, possible engagement of talent, image orientation/sizing/file format/s and image destination/s etc.

This first step is largely an exercise in building trust, although it doesn’t take long to see the intrinsic value in this approach to creating a “fit for purpose” portfolio.

This way there are clear planned outcomes to creating exactly what is required for purpose and best of all …no surprises!

As a collaborative photographer I am happy to work with multiple clients on the same project even though there may be different objectives. This can be a great opportunity to share costs while maintaining outcomes.

Once we have established the above, we have solid plan for the shoot/s.

Often we can go through the images on the MacBook as we shoot, with final editing done personally in my office. As engaging as you need it to be.

My business is cloud based from the estimate/proposal through to image viewing, file delivery, invoicing and terms.

No surprises. Fast and efficient.

Creating a plan for your assignment is essential.

Where else would you spend your hard earned without having a plan?

Scope of expertise.

A creative digital stills photographer with broad life experience living on a small island has led me through a diverse range of subjects and genres to shoot. I’ve always valued anything that helps to build businesses, so my imagery is always focussed around creating marketing content that connects businesses to their audience in a clear and authentic manner.

I have an extensive architectural portfolio that covers Launceston’s largest projects through to domestic homes across Tasmania. I work in aged care, medical, hospitality, agriculture and aquaculture, play spaces, equipment, fleet, team and individual portraits. You can gain an overview of my capabilities by viewing my portfolio.

Whatever industry/sector or genre of business you’re in, I have you covered! In fact, anything that is important or memorable to you across our home Tasmania, I’m just a phone call away!

A few words on equipment.

People always have views on equipment, mostly ill informed views on what is good and what isn’t, often based on slick marketing campaigns by camera or smartphone companies.

I have a professional and reliable “toolkit” of high resolution camera gear, lenses and lights that cover me for every project. I have calibrated monitors that deliver authentic colour and clarity to my created images, and utilise what I consider the best editing software on the planet as my mainstay since 2010. I continue to push for the very best outcomes through continued education and practice, practice, practice.

So what does this mean for you and your portfolio?

So many photos these days are poorly framed, unbalanced, lack depth, clarity and basic editing such as white balance and colour correction.

Hard to believe we put man on the moon in 1969 and yet today we churn out and accept the most lack lustre imagery for our marketing collateral.

For me, it’s always about chasing perfection. Of course there are variables of circumstance that are set to test, although the aim remains.

So when you engage my services and we craft a structured plan, you can be sure of the best image results whether they are for the web, printed brochures or even to be seen on giant billboards.

I’m always up for a chat, so please reach out if you’ve any questions or would like to discuss working with me on your next project.

Bests, Dave