I am a professional photographer... ask me anything

[Neeper]

Originally Posted by rd_aaron

What are your favorite locations in Calgary for photoshoots? What's the best location for a skyline shot?

As a side note, when we were looking for a wedding photographer, we looked through your galleries and loved your style. We looked through so many that most just blurred together, but I specifically remembers yours. Unfortunately, we are getting married out of province, so we ended up deciding on a photographer not from Calgary.

Well thanks for your consideration at least!! I hope you chose an excellent photographer for your wedding.

I do like shooting downtown. But I love dirty places too. Where ever the bride and groom's parents think is it crazy to shoot there, I will shoot there! But I like downtown because of many compositional opportunities, such as lines, reflections, depth... etc. My favorite spot for a skyline shot is on Scotsman's Hill. Mostly because the Saddledome is usually front and center!

[Neeper]

Originally Posted by Flamenspiel

Do you use Epson printers? Can you recommend a tool for getting the heads unclogged?

Sorry, I don't do my own printing at all. I am not familiar with Epsons.

[Boblobla]

Who do you use for printing?

[Neeper]

Originally Posted by icarus

Any tips as to what to look for/avoid in a wedding photographer, and negotiation of fees?

We're looking at getting married in Europe otherwise I'd be knocking on your door Neeper.

You know I have shot weddings in over 6 countries now, so Europe is not an issue.

When looking for a wedding photographer, don't just let them show you their best photos. Ask to see whole weddings, so you know their consistency throughout the whole day. Ask them which type of shooting is their strongest asset. Is it PJ or portrait? Make sure you have a connection with your photographer. He/she will be with you all day. We are the only vendors who are with the couples from morning to the end of the night. If you can't get along with them, it won't be as enjoyable and will probably be stressful. Ask to see what kinds of products they offer, such as albums and prints and such.

Experience is a HUGE asset! Don't underestimate that.

As for fees. Personally, my fees are non-negotiable. I want clients to hire me based on my rep, work, experience, service and style. I understand money comes into all decisions and I value my work. Not to sound cocky, but I truly believe that what I do, I can do better than 90% of the photographers out there. Some photographers are definitely negotiable. You could ask for extra incentives like album upgrades, extra prints and such. Physical tangible goods are easier to negotiate for than for a monetary discount.

[Neeper]

Originally Posted by sketchyt

I've shot a few weddings. Photos turned out well but it's a tough gig and something I'd prefer not to shoot.

You've got crazy in-laws who try everything to take your attention away from the actual wedding, bride/groom requests, weather considerations, locations you've hopefully visited before the wedding, the uncle who brought his point and click camera looking to shoot EVERYTHING and always standing in front of you at the worst possible moment, and then when you're all done you've got a bajillion photos to sift through with the clients wanting the photos NOW.

A good wedding photographer will be a good shooter with a portfolio (obviously) but in my opinion, also love being in the chaos of weddings. It's rare to find both and that's how wedding photographers keep making good coin.

Good wedding photographers like Neeper can make all of that work and do it with a smile and patience that would make the Dalai Lama jealous (I've never seen him shoot, but with >100 weddings and zero people murdered I assume he's still smiling). Most people would do it with a murderous rage enough to power a thousand suns.

Definitely not for everyone. You're right, I do love being in the middle of all the chaos. But with my experience, I bring a calming influence for the couple as well, which I think helps everyone involved.

[Neeper]

Originally Posted by J Diddy

I find my SLR too large that it doesn't get used as much as my iPhone camera.

What are your thoughts on the compact mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras? Are they a fad or the next big thing?

When I went to Europe this past July (I ran with the bulls in Spain), I left my SLR at home. I challenged myself just to use my iPhone the whole trip and it worked out pretty good.

I think there is definitely a market for compact mirror less cameras. I am sure how big that market is. If it's big, it won't be a fad.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

Are you screwed now that the iphone 5 can take panorama pics??

Good cameras don't take good photos. Good photographers take good photos.
Equipment is about a third of the of equation.

And even so, an iphone 5 is not a good camera.....at least not compared to professional equipment. Cell phones are replacing your basic point and shoot camera, not professional rigs. You can't fake good glass.

[TheGrimm]

Originally Posted by Neeper

You know I have shot weddings in over 6 countries now, so Europe is not an issue.

When looking for a wedding photographer, don't just let them show you their best photos. Ask to see whole weddings, so you know their consistency throughout the whole day. Ask them which type of shooting is their strongest asset. Is it PJ or portrait? Make sure you have a connection with your photographer. He/she will be with you all day. We are the only vendors who are with the couples from morning to the end of the night. If you can't get along with them, it won't be as enjoyable and will probably be stressful. Ask to see what kinds of products they offer, such as albums and prints and such.

Experience is a HUGE asset! Don't underestimate that.

As for fees. Personally, my fees are non-negotiable. I want clients to hire me based on my rep, work, experience, service and style. I understand money comes into all decisions and I value my work. Not to sound cocky, but I truly believe that what I do, I can do better than 90% of the photographers out there. Some photographers are definitely negotiable. You could ask for extra incentives like album upgrades, extra prints and such. Physical tangible goods are easier to negotiate for than for a monetary discount.

I'd add to this to make sure to ask about reprints and digital negatives. Things can vary a lot from country to country or even photographer to photographer. If you are hiring a foreign photographer I would be adamant that you get full resolution digitals at the very least (personally I would push for RAW files but that might be hard.. haha). Trying to go through the process of ordering reprints or trying to get any additional work done may be extremely difficult.

I personally have never understood why some photographers will not give full resolution digitals to customers, it's such a pain in the a$$ to use the photographer to print off a few 8x10's to give to grammy and pappy... and for what? To have the photographer make a few extra bucks!? Pffft.. no thanks! As long as a customer isn't using the photographs for commercial use/profit I don't see the big deal.

[Neeper]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

Hi there, I am in the market for a new camera. What are your thoughts on the Olympus OM-D and other "mini" SLRS? I too am concerned that if I buy a larger Nikon or Canon that it will be too big for travel. On the other hand I am concerned about the feel of a smaller camera. Many thanks!

I am sorry. I don't know anything about that camera or ones similar to it. I have to admit I am a bit of a camera snob when it comes consumer cameras. I just don't read enough about it or use them. If you go down to the Camera Store and talk to Chris, he tell you everything you need to know.

[Table 5]

Hey, can I see your work btw?

[Neeper]

Originally Posted by boosterjuice

I have a Nikon D90 with a few lenses (sigma 18-200, and sigma 30m 1.4f). I'm looking to improve my photography. Should I a) get more lenses for my D90 (I'm interested in a wide angle), or, b) should I make the jump to full frame?

Boy, good question. Because if you buy more lenses that are DX you are stuck with DX lenses. But if you make the jump to full frame you have to start reinvesting in FX lenses. Depending on your financial situation and where you want to go with your hobby, I would say go for full frame and don't look back. That said there's absolutely nothing wrong with a DX camera.

[Table 5]

The Olympus OM-D is actually a pretty great compact....if you know how to use it. One of the photographers I follow, Ming Thein, uses it a lot as his second camera. This guy is an effin pro, but some of the shots he gets you think he was using a Leica. Here is his review: http://blog.mingthein.com/2012/06/02/omd/

My brother has one too, and seems to like it a lot. Seems like a great travel camera. Half the time, SLRs are too big to travel with so you just leave them at home.

[Hans Landa]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

Hi there, I am in the market for a new camera. What are your thoughts on the Olympus OM-D and other "mini" SLRS? I too am concerned that if I buy a larger Nikon or Canon that it will be too big for travel. On the other hand I am concerned about the feel of a smaller camera. Many thanks!

I was waiting for Neeper to answer first, so now I will chime in.


For me, the biggest deal breaker for going Mirrorless is the number of shots I can get per battery charge. For the shooting I do, and plan to do more of, I may be away from electricity for 2-4 days.
Mirrorless cameras range from 300-500 shots per charge (varies by model).
Most DSLRs can get you 1000-1500 shots per charge (even more with a battery grip).

After that, the lack of a true optical view finder and lack of lens variety is the next concern. Regarding the latter, it's not really fair since there is 50+ years of Lenses you can use on a Nikon or Canon body. Mirrorless EVIL is still a relatively new form factor.

I like the new Fuji X-Mount system. If I could afford a secondary system, just to have for gear whoring purposes, it would be the new X-E1.

[Neeper]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Forget Sigma....Nikon or Zeiss.

YES!!! Forget Sigma, Tamron and all those 3rd party lenses. Nothing can compare to good Nikon and Zeiss glass!

[Neeper]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

+1 for light room.

Very easy learning curve, especially compared to photoshop. Even fiddling with the shadow slider in lightroom can make a world of difference to a photo.

LR changed my life and gave it back to me. I can edit so much faster now thanks to LR.

[Neeper]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

I think the title of this thread should be "I am a f-ing fantastic professional photographer, ask me anything."


Because you are.

Thanks I just do what I do because I love it and I gotta feed the kids!

[Neeper]

Originally Posted by Boblobla

Who do you use for printing?

Technicare. They only serve pros though. For regular consumers, I suggest Black's.

[Neeper]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Good cameras don't take good photos. Good photographers take good photos.
Equipment is about a third of the of equation.

And even so, an iphone 5 is not a good camera.....at least not compared to professional equipment. Cell phones are replacing your basic point and shoot camera, not professional rigs. You can't fake good glass.

Exactly, a pinhole glass lens will never match my Nikkor 85mm 1.4!

[Neeper]

Originally Posted by Table 5

The Olympus OM-D is actually a pretty great compact....if you know how to use it. One of the photographers I follow, Ming Thein, uses it a lot as his second camera. This guy is an effin pro, but some of the shots he gets you think he was using a Leica. Here is his review: http://blog.mingthein.com/2012/06/02/omd/

My brother has one too, and seems to like it a lot. Seems like a great travel camera. Half the time, SLRs are too big to travel with so you just leave them at home.

You know, even I am in the market for this type of camera. Like I said before, I hate travelling with my SLR because there's so much weight!! I would only buy one if these if they make a good underwater housing as well. I would love to take it diving.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Good cameras don't take good photos. Good photographers take good photos.
Equipment is about a third of the of equation.

And even so, an iphone 5 is not a good camera.....at least not compared to professional equipment. Cell phones are replacing your basic point and shoot camera, not professional rigs. You can't fake good glass.

Oh ummm i wasn't actually serious... hehe

Course this coming from a guy who thought it would be ok if i bought my cousin the most expensive digital camera to take pictures of my wedding, rather than hire a professional photog. hahahhaa.

What was I thinking?? good thing my parents knew someone who i hired last minute to do my pictures. hahahahaha. I did have the most awesomest 3.2 megapixel canon point and shoot though.........