What is custom portraiture?
As a photographer I see custom portraiture as a commissioned artistic experience that results in portraits that you will proudly display in your home. It goes beyond having a nice camera and taking a picture - it's a combination of artistic vision and technical knowledge of photographic principles, understanding of lighting, the ability to pose/direct non-professional subjects, and timing. Add to that the skill to realize that vision with today's ever changing digital tools once the image is taken. As a photographer I'm on a constant learning quest - honing my artistic and technical abilities so that they are second nature. I strive to go beyond just merely taking an image but instead to turn that image into art. What better way to decorate your home but with art of the people you love? Art that you will be happy to look upon for years to come. Art to document your family as it grows. Art that brings a smile to your face and warms your heart. Art that becomes a treasured part of your family.
There was a time back in my early photographic career that I worked for a chain portrait studio. I worked within a box literally and figuratively. There was an X on the floor to indicate where the stool that the subject sat on must be placed, tape lines on the floor designating the area my camera was allowed move within ...it was maybe two feet. The photographic strobe lights were in the same static position every minute of every day. I was scheduled a client every tweleve minutes and was required to take twelve images. No more. No less. There was a set posing pattern – two shots on the right two on the left. Close up, mid level. Hand up, hands down. After four images the outfit was changed…quickly (remember I only had twelve minutes). Frankly this system was an assembly line with no room for genuine interaction with my subjects. No room to know if I got the fake smile or the real one. No time to coax out any element of my subjects personality. No room for creativity outside the box.
Now that I run my own custom photography business I realize that creating portrait art that I’m proud of is as much about my clients experience as it is about my freedom in the artistic process. For you the client that seeks out an experience beyond the cookie cutter assembly line studio - your desire is to capture your family genuinely and value a photographer that will take the time to draw out natural expressions from your child. You want a photographer that will work with you to add unique elements to your portraiture that reflects your style and personality. You understand the satisfaction and long term benefits to investing in photographic art for your home that is ART of your family. You get excited about decorating the walls of your home with the faces you treasure most. You know that Custom Fine Art Portraiture will never ever go out of style and never cease to bring you joy. It’s likely those portraits will become more valued keepsakes with each and every year that passes.