* Why you love photography?

“I enjoy the spontaneous moments caught in a simple photograph. Although portrait photography has an inherent posing quality, a session will usually transform into more candid moments after dialogue naturally ensues. It is these moments that I live to capture in a session and it fills my heart to the brim when I actually get it!”

* Your favorite type of photography?

“I have always loved pictures and the stories they tell ever since I was a child. I still like to spread out all of my mother’s old pictures that she has collected over the years and pick thru the ones that evoke such emotion in me that it usually brings me to tears! It is my goal as a professional photographer to give my clients a memory in a sliver of time that they can one day look back on with the same happiness and fondness.”

* Photography tips or tricks?

“I have learned the most from shooting and not being afraid of taking risks and chances with my settings and equipment. It is safe to stick to a standard, but I find that I get the most brilliant pictures from stepping outside of the box.”

* Comments about your web site design?

“Adrienne was great in meeting my needs and wanting to produce a product that I would be proud to call my own. I receive compliments on my website constantly and I appreciate how Adrienne worked with me to bring my vision to life!”

~ Becky

Visit Becky Stewart Photography at Becky Stewart Photography to take a look at Becky’s photos!

* Why you love photography?

Kristin: “I believe everyone has a God given gift. Mine just happens to be photography. It is who I am. I can run into people who have known me since I was very young, and their memory of me is, “Aren’t you that girl with the camera.”
From the beginning I have loved the artistic challenge photography presents. Photography allows us a chance to freeze a moment in time, and because of this we can look back and reflect on these moments every time we pass by the framed image; turn the pages of a photo album or sort through old box of photos. I love how photography brings people together. It preserves our history. There are so many things I could name… I have viewed a large part of my life through the lens of a camera and I have loved every minute of it!!!”

Valerie: “Photography draws upon everything I love– being with people, working with animals, and feeds my creative energy every day. By documenting memories that can be revisited at any time allows me to influence the good in people’s lives.”

* Your favorite type of photography?

Kristin: “I love black and white photography, and cut my teeth in the photography world on a roll of Kodak black and white film! I love to photography animals (especially horses), people (from the very young to the young at heart) and I love detail and abstract photography.”

Valerie: “Watching people share that special moment they love with their family, friends, or beloved pets and seeing their delight when I capture that forever for them.”

A funny or interesting photography story?

Kristin: “When I was in the sixth grade I entered a National Geographic World Magazine photo contest, and won first place in their black and white category. I was so excited! The magazine interviewed me and sent out a photographer to take my pic. It was a lot of fun, as it is not often I am on the other side of the camera.  The photographer’s assistant’s family owned the fireworks company that provided fireworks for Kings Island theme park. We had never been to a theme park, and so she sent us tickets for the whole family to go. It was such a treat.”

Valerie: “Participating in the Mustang event was a meaningful, enriching experience. Kids and adults alike adopted a mustang and trained them for an auction. Each person had a chance to show what they had taught the horse in the arena prior to the auction, and I was lucky enough to to capture the trust between the horse and their amateur trainers. The photos from this event are still some of my favorite because every picture tells a story of how far the horse advanced based upon working with the trainer.”

* Photography tips or tricks?

Kristin: “If you want to improve you picture taking ability in your own personal life I offer this advice: practice, practice, practice. Begin to look at things differently and experiment. The reward will come when you realize you have created your own box of memories. Don’t just let life pass you by…capture those moments and treasurer them.”

Valerie: “With any subject, getting the light just right can be the difference in a hit or miss shot. However, getting the subject, human or otherwise to relax is my strength. Asking people questions about themselves opens them up and puts their facial expression in a more relaxed and natural pose. My tip– get the light right, and then focusing on the relationship with the subject.”

* Comments about your web site design?

Kristin: “I love the new webpage design. It looks great!”

Valerie: “SmugMug allows me to focus on the other aspects of my business– booking events, managing events, and taking pictures. I Just Love Jerry he listened to me an understood my wants and needs. Right down to the pin-drop. I love the look and feel of the website it fits us perfectly! You rock Jerry:0!!”

~ Kristin and Valerie

Visit CbarC Photography at CbarC Photography to take a look at Kristin and Valerie’s photos!

* Why you love photography?

“The possibilities of creativity are endless. I love color. Photography is a great way to express that.”

* Your favorite type of photography?

“Sports photography is probably my favorite, but I’m really starting to enjoy lightpainting.”

* Photography tips or tricks?

“While on one hand, digital images are free (no processing fees until you actually print them) and we should not be hesitant to real off several shots, knowing that you will not use them all. On the other hand, don’t use that freedom and a license for poor composition and subject selection.”

* Comments about your web site design?

“I can’t imagine working with a more cooperative group of people than SmugMug. They ALWAYS resolve my problems keeping my interests first. Way to go! jR Customization’s wide array of examples were more than enough for me to find one that suits my style just perfect. Thanks, guys (and gals!).”

- Brian

Visit Photos on the Run at Photos on the Run to take a look at Brian’s photos!

* 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!