* Why you love photography?

“I love capturing special moments in people lives and interacting with them on a personal level.”

* Your favorite type of photography?

“Although I shoot weddings, fashion, boudoir, and high school seniors, I must confess that weddings win me over every time. I get to spend more time with clients, aka friends, than I do on other photo sessions. Plus, I get to see all the joy and happiness people feel on their wedding day. It’s awesome.”

A funny or interesting photography story?

“At one of my weddings, the bride’s mother forgot to bring her weddings shoes so she ended up wearing shoes that were so uncomfortable, she took them off during the reception. Wait for it…..the reception was a garden party by the pool of a gorgeous hotel in Orlando and while the music had everyone, including my bride, on the dance floor getting down, my bride fell into the pool. I was horrified, but she started laughing and said “let’s all get wet and take pictures!” We ended up doing a “Trash the Trash” (and bridesmaid dress, groom….guests…you name it) photoshoot and it turned out beyond fabulous.”

* Photography tips or tricks?

“Stay consistent in your editing to stay true to your style of photography. Also, practice shooting wide open. It takes a little practice because the eyes must be on the same focal plane, but the bokeh in certain situations is worth it.”

* Comments about your web site design?

“Smugmug is great for galleries so my clients can order their prints directly online. For albums, nothing beats their event feature. I can download a clients favorites and submit them to my designer for the album. JR Customization? They saved me from tearing my hair out by trying design my own website and blog. I just know I wouldn’t look all the hot being bald. But what I really like best is their customer support. Even after the project is completed, they have always answered my questions.”

~ Debra

Visit DK Photography at DK Photography to take a look at Debra’s photos!

* Why you love photography?

“My sister and I have a passion for capturing life’s little moments. Having your picture taken is like keeping a diary. It’s something to treasure forever…you will always be able to look back at it and remember that time in your life. After all, a picture IS worth a thousand words.”

* Your favorite type of photography?

“Our favorite is portrait photography, including candid moments. There’s nothing like getting that shot of opportunity, in the middle of a family photo shoot, when something funny happens and that spark of happiness seems contagious as it spreads throughout their faces. It’s like there really wasn’t someone there taking pictures. That’s the best kind of pictures, and it just so happens that’s where we find the best smiles.”

* Photography tips or tricks?

“We are just starting our journey as photographers and are still learning quite a bit. It’s fun and exciting and we look forward to every photo opportunity that is presented to us!”

* Comments about your web site design?

“jR Customization has given us that extra “something” we were looking for in our SmugMug website. It’s very easy to navigate through and upload our photos to the website. They gave us exactly what we wanted, and more. We appreciate all their hard work.”

~ Stephanie and Jennifer

Visit Gray Photography at Gray Photography to take a look at Stephanie and Jennifer’s photos!

* Why you love photography?

“True photography is having the ability to look deeply into the lives of others and capture all their emotions. To me, there is no greater responsibility than that of a photographer that is chosen to capture these moments. Photographs last a lifetime and increase in value as the years go by and to be selected as a photographer to not only be a part of their lives but to capture their lives on film is the most rewarding aspect of the art.”

* Your favorite type of photography?

“Photographs, clean, simple and minimalistic that display the emotion and mood of the session. I am a true lover of the art and these type of natural photographs have stood the test of time. There are so many out there that just, simply put, do too much… with all of the “Actions” and programs out there that enhance digital photographs it is so refreshing to be able to provide a clean, simple image that depict the trueness of mood through Art, not “Actions”. The purest approach to photography is by far my favorite style”

* Photography tips or tricks?

“Be pure, open and real. When you over-think and over-pose subjects you loose “Natural” The true beauty of an image lays within it rawness and its subjects natural behavior. The key to achieving this is to be unseen, a fly on the wall witnessing not dictating the behavior of the subjects.”

* Comments about your web site design?

“jR Customization really does provide a professional, personalized service and comprehends that not all needs are the same. Jerry was so easy to work with and the final product was nothing short of amazing. I am so excited to share the my newly styled site and blog with the world!!”

- Christian

Visit Christian Hamilton Photography at Christian Hamilton Photography to take a look at Christian’s photos!

* Why you love photography?

“I love photography because I love the emotion of people. When you capture that one moment, whether it is at a wedding or a family shoot or from a child… and you see that love and joy just in an image I capture, and that evokes the same result in my client… that is why I love it! My image can bring a small moment of joy!”

* Your favorite type of photography?

“I love natural light photography. Wedding couples and bride sessions… family and child sessions are great too!”

A funny or interesting photography story?

“Well, one time I was shooting a wedding couple and a bird pooped right on the Bride’s dress. She could have gone crazy but she simply said, “oh well”, smiled and cleaned it the best she could.”

* Photography tips or tricks?

“When shooting family’s I always make the raspberry noise (with my mouth); (sounds like a toot, aka fart)… it always seems to make the kids laugh, and the parents as well.”

* Comments about your web site design?

“jR Customization did for me what I couldn’t in a helpful, kind and timely manner. They were very good at keeping me up to date and showing me what to do next to get my website going. Thank you so much!”

~ Aften

Visit Aften Wright Photography at Aften Wright Photography to take a look at Aften’s photos!

* Why you love photography?

“I enjoy the never-ending challenge of capturing quality wildlife images and the creativity that photography lets me express.”

* Your favorite type of photography?

“Definitely wildlife photography – with an emphasis on endangered species.”

A funny or interesting photography story?

“I always try to connect with the eyes of an endangered animal in the wild. I yearn to freeze time in that moment, to somehow communicate a promise that humans can be friend and not foe. We humans are the reason for all wildlife endangerment – either directly or indirectly. It’s not too late for us all to “wake up” and act to save what we have left.”

* Photography tips or tricks?

“For wildlife photography, it’s all about being very quiet, very patient and having lots of luck. I yearn to capture animal interactions – they give huge interest to a photo.”

* Comments about your web site design?

“I am grateful for the way that SmugMug and jR Customization allow me to showcase what I love to do.”

~ Beth

Visit Through the Lens Photography at Through the Lens Photography to take a look at Beth’s photos!

* Why you love photography?

“Photography gives me a chance to express my creative side. We then have the opportunity to travel which we also enjoy and gives my wife and I time together.”

* Your favorite type of photography?

“We specialize in Travel Photography and enjoy it very much.”

A funny or interesting photography story?

“Our photography experiences are all fun; even when Arab women throw rocks at you or Israeli fishermen throw seedweed at you when you try to photograph them.”

* Photography tips or tricks?

“In the type of photography we do, a polarizing filter is important. the use of this filter saturates images and reduces reflections; just don’t overdo it when darkening a blue sky.”

* Comments about your web site design?

“SmugMug is a website scheme that satisfies most of my needs to display and sell images on my own. jR Customization allows me to use all the Smug Mug features but improves their function, enhances their visual appeal and makes the website more professional looking. jR Customization managed to do everything I wanted and were great to deal with.”

- Terrance

Visit T. Klassen Photography at T. Klassen Photography to take a look at Terrance’s photos!

* Why you love photography?

“It lets me perceive reality from outside myself and then allows me to show that particular vision to others. It is my creative outlet.”

* Your favorite type of photography?

“Anything that evokes a response from people.”

A funny or interesting photography story?

“I was in The Dominican Republic shooting in a small city outside the resort of Casa DeCampo and some native tried to rob me of my camera equipment. I fought him off and was able to escape unharmed and with all my gear.”

* Photography tips or tricks?

“Pack the most amount of equipment into the smallest bag.”

* Comments about your web site design?

“I found JR was the only designer who actually answered the phone. His service was quick and he delivered what he promised. I wanted a simple site with a simple price and that’s exactly what I got.”

- Andrew

Visit AKaPam Photography at AKaPam Photography to take a look at Andrew’s photos!

* Why you love photography?

“I love people first. When I was learning photography in high school in a darkroom, I loved photography because of the processing to create a print. Now it’s about being present at a session and devoting all my energy and attention to the client to get them to show me who they are and what they stand for. The camera is secondary.”

* Your favorite type of photography?

“I wouldn’t say I have a favorite “type”, it’s all photography to me…but my favorite photos are the ones that make you feel something about your life.”

A funny or interesting photography story?

“Honestly, most of my sessions are fun and definitely interesting. That’s my goal:) I can say I remember a recent session with twin 1 year-olds-in a 40 minute session which began with the sun shining beautifully and the girls in pretty spring outfits, then became freezing and the girls were in winter hats and lastly it started POURING and they were under umbrellas. In Cincinnati, you must be prepared!!”

* Photography tips or tricks?

“Wear a white shirt to easily create great catch lighting in the subject’s eyes and works as a great reflector:)”

* Comments about your web site design?

“jR takes care of their client, their #1 priority is the client’s needs…love that!!!”

~ Leah

Visit Leah Brady Photography at Leah Brady Photography to take a look at Leah’s photos!

* Why you love photography?

“I LOVE photography because I get to stop a moment in time and create a memory forever! My clients become my friends… It’s so fun to see them come back time after time. I LOVE to watch them change and grow year after year. The other thing is most of the time people are having fun when I’m shooting them….I get to be around smiles all the time! I call my job “party hopping”.”

* Your favorite type of photography?

“So what is my favorite…..hmmmm that is hard, I love it all! I like that I shoot different stuff every day ~ but if I had to choose I would say birth…. its REAL! No redo’s for that shoot ~ it’s the MOST amazing time in life ~ I love the rush to get there and then the sitting and waiting for the sweet baby to arrive ~ then all the fun stuff that comes next, like meeting mommy and daddy for the first time ~ the first kisses, tears, bath…..I get chills just thinking about it! Actually, I’m on baby call now, should be any time this week….ahhhh!
But I also REALLY love SEXY ~ so many of the ladies that I work with have never really felt SEXY before…. it might take them a little time to own the sexy but by the time we are done they TOTALLY have it and then when they see the photos after editing….BAM I now have a lady with a new image of herself! I just LOVE it!!!”

A funny or interesting photography story?

“Once I got an extra $100 for getting a photo up a guys kilt at a wedding ~ one of his friends told me he would give me $100 if I could do it ~ so you know that I did it….come on and extra $100 and a fun story? But I know you are wondering what was under it! Well it was too dark and I could not tell! But I got the $$$ and a few smiles too.”

* Photography tips or tricks?

“My tip is to make sure that you have your smile on ~ if you don’t, the people around you most likely will not either!”

* Comments about your web site design?

“I love jR Customization because they do all the stuff that I don’t want to do, like to do, or care to learn how to do….I’m a photographer that wants an AMAZING site, but I don’t want to have to make it that way ~ that’s why I have jR Customization do it! jR Customization is always with a smile and full of energy, and to top it off SUPER fast in following through! I know they have my back when I’m in a web site panic! I have been working with jR Customization for over 5 years and plan to be with them for 100 more! The jR Customization team ROCKS!!!”

~ Monica

Visit Studio KYK at Studio KYK to take a look at Monica’s photos!

* Why you love photography?

“I love the memories it creates and the ability to share experiences with others who were not at an event. When we first moved to Montana several years ago, I knew I needed to learn how to use a DSLR camera. (My background is marketing, not photography.). Since we live in the middle of nowhere, I relied heavily on online photo classes like those offered at betterphoto.com and ppsop.com.”

* Your favorite type of photography?

“I live in a beautiful area of Montana, so I have to say landscapes are one of my favorite types. However, I am becoming a fan of painterly effects. I’ve recently started taking online classes to learn more about the techniques.”

A funny or interesting photography story?

“Probably the “bear” story is something that doesn’t happen every day. My husband and I were camping in one of the local mountains. We were in our vehicle on one of the dirt roads when a young bear jumped out in front of us. He crossed the road and stared at us. I didn’t see any other larger bears around us, so I jumped out on my side of the car to photograph him. As I started to press the shutter a loud, barking growl sounded in back of me. Yes, it was mama bear. My husband had already pushed on the gas pedal and was dragging me along as I struggled to climb back into the front seat and close the door before mama reached our car. Later when I reviewed my shot, I realized mama bear’s growl startled me enough that all I photographed was the sky!”

* Photography tips or tricks?

“Since photography is a hobby with me, I don’t know if I am experienced enough to give other photographers a tip or trick. I guess what I learned is to be more patient when I’m waiting for the right light or an animal to emerge. I’ve also learned to dress in layers. Sometimes I think I will only be out photographing for an hour and it might turn into several hours. It’s so easy to get lost in the creative process outdoors.”

* Comments about your web site design?

“When I began to receive more requests for my photo gifts to friends and family, I started to research a site where visitors could view my photos and choose to have them turned into gifts or prints. SmugMug is a great one-stop-shopping site for that and takes me out of the equation by processing the photo requests. Since I have no web design experience, I chose JR Customization to enhance my basic SmugMug site. I couldn’t have made a better choice. Not only did Jerry get the enhanced site up quickly, but he exhaustedly helped me with some issues I had operating it.”

~ Sue

Visit S.B. Moseman Imagery at S.B. Moseman Imagery to take a look at Sue’s photos!