I recently challenged myself to pick 10 photos that illustrate what I strive to do with a camera. I wanted to showcase the images that make me the happiest, and that will help potential clients understand what kind of photographer they’re getting when they hire me.
This is no easy feat. Between weddings, engagement sessions, family portrait shoots, and my work with bands, models and athletes … there are many, many pictures that I like. And my “favorite” photos change on a daily basis. However, there are some that stand out and routinely make me smile.
So, without any further delay, here are the photos that define the JFP style:
This recent photo of Kim watching her limo driver’s umbrella blow upwards is an example of what my experience as a photojournalist helps me achieve. I spent years freelancing for newspapers such as Newsday and the Albany Times Union, and those jobs helped prepare me to look for (and be prepared to document) unique moments. I am always on the hunt for images that will convey the feeling of an event.
I am — first and foremost — a storyteller. As a little boy, I spent summers writing my own Hardy Boys stories. As an adult, I spent time as a sports writer for the Albany Times Union, and I have written several books. Photography is, to me, simply another form of storytelling. So, what do you do when you’re photographing a family where the mom and dad (Rob and Rosie) met as professional dancers? You ask them to dance, of course. And you put their pride and joy, their daughter (Dorothy), in the center of the picture. You have her anchor her parents.
It is so important to have fun, and to keep things fresh. I had shot several engagement sessions at Saratoga State Park the week before Kelly and Matt’s session there, and I wanted to do something a little different. So, en route to the session, I stopped at CVS and grabbed bubbles for $3.99. I still don’t really know why, except that something made me feel like a cute couple playing with bubbles on a gorgeous summer night could make for a nice photo. I think I was right.
OK, first of all, I adore funny moments. I think they are the best moments in life. And this photo of Brad standing on a stool for his first kiss with Heather is hilarious to me. (She had no idea he was going to do it.) Secondly, this photo speaks to how much I prepare for my gigs. I build detailed itineraries with my wedding clients, and I ask them to share any information that will help me do my job better. With that in mind, Brad gave me a heads up before he walked down the aisle, and I was able to position myself properly with the right lens in hand, allowing me to capture this moment exactly the way I wanted to.
Sigh. I love shadows. I love bright colors. And, at the end of every day, I like to feel like I’m making some art for my clients. This photo of Lindsey and Arron combines all three of those things for me.
Speaking of shadows, bright colors and art … This is from a New York City engagement session with Jeffrey and Kristin. In addition to the general funkiness of this graffiti-filled photo, I also dig the comfort level between my couple. I work very hard to make my clients feel comfortable in front of the camera — my company tagline is “If you feel good, you look good.” — and Jeffrey and Kristin clearly got to a comfortable place. I have spent years working with models largely because I knew that experience would help me with my wedding clients. From posing to lighting to interacting with my subjects, my work with models has helped me learn to make images like this.
Oh my, this picture of ballerina Danielle makes me so happy. I wanted to make a portrait of a dancer at this building (EMPAC, in Troy, New York) for several years before it finally happened. I knew exactly how I wanted to frame and light the shot before Danielle even agreed to the session. I knew that using an off-camera flash could help me knock down the ambient light (giving the sky a nice glow) and make the red on Danielle pop. And I knew how this photo would look before I pressed the shutter button.
Meghan and Mark got married at Key Hall (Schenectady, New York), which is in the same building as Proctor’s Theater. The couple wanted a group portrait done in front of the theater’s marquee, and I wanted to give them something a little different. So, after some brainstorming, I decided to do a shot that would show the entire bridal party while keeping the focus on the newlyweds. All it took was a tripod, a slow shutter speed and a couple of assistants to stop traffic on State State.
I do not like settling for the “easy” shot. Here, for example, I could have simply stood “The Accents” in this alleyway (which I also did) and I would have gotten a very cool shot. However, as we were setting up, someone dropped a couch off about a quarter-mile away. They were clearly throwing it out. I asked my assistants to take a truck and bring the couch to our location. The band members thought I was crazy, but I knew that the couch would work well as a posing tool. So, in this case, we went the extra quarter-mile for the shot.
At the end of the day (which is when this photo of Jennie and Mark was taken), my work is often about two things — lighting and beauty. I strive to make photos that are well lit (either by Mother Nature, by me, or by a combination of the two), and that capture the beauty of my clients. This image features a flash behind Jennie and Mark, separating them from the background, and they are front-lit by the light on the top of a videographer’s camera. It’s a relatively simply technique, but when all the elements are managed well, it comes together for a beautiful photo.
