Haha. I laugh because I'm about to change it.

Basically, when I first started photographing people I had a more nature/organic vibe to my photography. I have a deep appreciation for nature and wanted to incorporate it into my branding. I really wasn't sure of the direction I was going to take this art form. A friend of mine made the logo knowing my love for trees and how I incorporate texture into images. It just stuck from there. Haha. I've been meaning to change it / update it to fit my current vision for a very long time and finally got around to recently. I'm just finalizing a few things before the full launch of the new brand.

I would start slow and with 35mm. You can get a 35mm camera pretty cheap. I suggest getting one similar to your dslr. If you shoot Nikon, get an F100 or F5. If you prefer canon, I'd go with a 1v. Both of these cameras will load quick and will feel very much like your dslr. This helps with controlling how you shoot. If you like the results you are getting you can press on. But at least you won't have forked over a crap load of money for something you'll just end up selling if you don't like.

Don't be afraid. Film is forgiving. More than you think :) Just shoot a few rolls, take them to Walgreens, and see what you get. You can take it from there.

I say go for it. I did the same thing just a couple years ago. About 2 1/2 to be exact. I learned all about photography with digital - it has its benefits. Originally, coming from digital, I was scared of film but honestly, its not scary at all. Yeah, you will blow shots here and there but you'd have to really screw up to mess something completely up and you can do the same with digital so as long as you are paying attention you will be fine.

I recommend starting with something small and cheap. If you are coming from a dslr your best bet would be to start with something similar since you are used to the fuctions. If you are a Nikon shooter, the f100 is an amazing camera - one that I use at every wedding. If you like Canon, then there is the EOS line of film cameras. Just get something affordable, grab a few rolls of cheap color or b&w and do some test shooting. Take them to Walgreens or a local lab and see what you get from it. Then take it from there. Starting out, I recommend taking notes when you are shooting so you can see the settings from the shot when you get it back. There isn't much exif data on film :)

The more you shoot it the better you will get. Then you can upgrade your camera and also try different aspects of film like medium format, large format, 6x7's, 645s, etc. Photography is simple to explain. You are just recording light. A big reason I love film is because it challenges me with just a few settings. I love the simplicity of it. Shooting film will make you think and shoot differently. It will force you to compose and to anticipate. Its truly a wonderful medium.

Once you start getting comfortable start experimenting with different cameras and film until you find something that makes you happy. To this day, I shoot both film and digital. Each have their pros and cons. Being a hybrid shooter allows me to work with every circumstance I'm thrown at a wedding. While I love using film all the time, there are plenty of instances where a digital camera makes more sense.

I will continue to use a camera and type of film that makes me happy. Thats the most important part of this whole process. There is no reason to do it if it doesn't satisfy you.

While I do use it - its very rare. I usually use it to mix it up a little and have fun. Most of the time its straight on flash every time its needed aside from a few moments where a bounce would be needed.

I NEVER set up a stand though. If I do use off camera flash either my assistant will hold it or I will hold it with my left hand while shooting with my right. Im not a fan of the stationary stand at all. It doesn't give me enough control

Thank you!

First, many of my images are not digital. They are film. So it depends on what you are looking at. All my portrait sessions are 100% film. So I don't do anything to the files except add a touch of contrast here and there if needed.

If it IS a d700 file, I don't do much at all. I do all my editing in Lightroom. I usually just mess with the curves or contrast a bit and then tweak in other areas if needed. I don't use any presets or actions. Many shots are nearly straight out of camera.

This is probably not what you wanted to hear but its the truth. ha. The biggest factor is the lens. I use the Zeiss 35 2.0 lens made for Nikon. Its more contrasty and clean then all the Nikon lenses. Perhaps that is the difference you are seeing.

Thank you!

Honestly, I try not to direct at all. As I'm sure you know, most people have trouble being in front of the camera. I usually crack jokes, laugh, and honestly try to make them feel a bit awkward at first. Awkwardness leads to great images as you catch those moments in between. This warms them up. The first few minutes are usually pretty rough. ha. I even go as far as setting up a shot in which i have no interest in and then grabbing a pic or two as they let their guard down thinking I already took the shot.

The best thing you can do, in my opinion, is to be real with them. Just be a friend. If you have a warm personality they will warm up to you. By the end of the session they will usually be having fun they will have forgotten the reason behind the shoot in the first place. Some of the best pictures I get are always near the end.

I honestly have no idea :)

Put out good work. Get good clients.

Well that depends on what camera I have. But the focal length would be 35mm no matter what.

If i look back on my life i can find a few instances where photography jumped out at me - but i never went after it. I was always too scared. My support system didn't really encourage the "arts" as a way to make money so in my head, i could never make a living taking pictures. So i got stuck in a 9-5 job and went thru life that way. Leaving that security was one of the hardest things i have done.

I remember moments at 8, 13, 18, and 24 where photography landed in my lap. I have always loved and appreciated it but just never delved into it. About 5.5 years ago I picked up a d70 and started shooting. I didn't photograph a person until about 4 years ago. It took off from there :)

While I'm mad I didn't start it sooner I'm happy it happened at all. Better late than never, right?

On average ... 30-35.

I wasn't into photography when I got married so a local, not very good, photographer shot it. We've looked at our album maybe 2 times its so bad.

Thats a hard question to answer and honestly, I have no clue who would. There are so many great wedding photographers out there. So many different styles to choose from. I know its not the answer you are looking for but I'm influenced by so many photographers. I would even consider going out of weddings and just have someone document it. No portraits - just straight documenting.

I don't. I think if you shoot a lot its part of the experience. I'm never NOT excited to shoot though. It doesn't matter how tired i am, shooting is still always fun.

I do look forward to the down time in the winter though. But its short lived. After a few weeks I'm itching to shoot a ton again.

Absolutely. I had the wrong setting or something the entire time. Its rare though. Maybe once or twice. If anything happens now its usually just a shot or two - never a roll.

A storm chaser. With a camera of course ;)

Slideshow first - which is a surprise gift. I don't tell them that upfront.

Then online gallery.

I wish i could do it in person more. I live pretty far from Philly where most of my clients live. It would be quite the trek just to view some photos. Perhaps one day I will have a studio closer to Philly. If thats the case, I will have them in house to show them. That is the better experience imo.

I just ran into this a couple days ago and a few weeks back as well. While it doesn't happen often - it definitely happens.

I tell them, as politely as possible, that they are hiring me for MY vision, not somebody else's. They need to trust me. If they can't its not going to work.

I lost both jobs due to it but its ok. They wouldn't have been happy and neither would have I.

Honestly I love it all. Sounds cliche but I love what I do. The back end work, accounting, etc can be mundane and crappy, but since it's part of what i love to do I'm happy doing it.

This is tough as there are so many photographers/artists out there.

Cartier-Bresson was sick. For street he's my go to guy.
James Nachtwey is a great war photographer.
Paolo Reversi for portraits. I love his polaroid work.
Frederic Lagrange. I just found his work recently. Great film colors and he does a great job documenting.

There are definitely others, i just can't think of them at this time :)

I don't edit 90% of my film. If i do edit its almost always just contrast. Very rarely i edit the color or change to b&w. The lab has done a great job in getting my scans the way i like them. I'm a fan of pure :)

Thank you and I guess practice. Film is not as hard as many people make it out to be. You can be close and still be ok due to its latitude. I always have a light meter around to verify my settings. If you slow down and make sure you are good to go your pics will be fine.

I'm FINALLY starting to be able to adjust on the fly without having to meter. Thats solely from practice.