What is a commercial photographer?
The typical person off the street probably doesn’t realize that there are different types of photographers. They think a photographer is a photographer and since all they’ve been in contact with are wedding and portrait photographers, they usually think that the same photographers that shoot weddings also shoot food, industrial, airier, and every other type of photo needed. In very small towns, that might very well be true, but in a city the size of Pittsburgh, there are other types of photographer that usually do not shoot wedding or family portraits, but instead, work for businesses only, and they are called commercial photographers.
I am a commercial photographer. I shoot for advertising agencies, graphic design firms, hospitals, banks, manufacturers, restaurants, and many other businesses I do not shoot family portraits or weddings, so please don’t ask me to. I’d probably do a mediocre job…
Here are a few reasons that I think I make a pretty good commercial photographer.
I understand light
If you understand light, you can light anything and make it look good, bad, natural, dramatic, or any way you want. You would think that all photographers are masters of light, but that would be far from the truth. Some photographers can control the heck out of light and some just don’t have a clue. I think if you take a look at my portfolio, you have to agree that as a commercial photographer, I get light… It doesn’t matter if the subject is a person, a product, or even an environment, a photographer that understands and has mastered lighting, and can do wonders with YOUR photography needs.
I have a pretty good eye
The ability to compose a photo is really important. In advertising, you sometimes just follow a layout, but in commercial photography, you’re sort of on your own when it comes to making beautiful pictures. My eye has improved a lot over the years and I’ve come a long way, but you can be the judge…
I’m well equipped
Commercial photography entails all different types of photography and some of those different types of photography require photographic equipment outside the norm.
I understand what a client needs
Of course, all clients are a little different and different clients need and want different things from their commercial photographer, but most want the same thing. They want me to do my very best and give them what they are expecting, and then some… And that’s exactly what I try my hardest to give them. I give them exactly what they want, and then a little bit more. Okay, a lot more… That little bit extra…
I have experience
In the world of commercial photography, it’s important to know what do to do in pretty much any situation, and to do it well, and to be able to do it quickly. Time is money, and reinventing the wheel is expensive. I’ve been doing this for some time and I have experience with all kinds of photography. And even if I haven’t shot the exact thing you’re asking me to shoot, I’m sure that I’ve shot something very similar…
My mind doesn’t atrophy
My body might atrophy, but I try to keep my mind in the game. I’m always exploring new ways to do things and I try very hard to keep up on the latest photographic styles and trends. It’s important to stay contemporary in this business while staying true to one’s art.
What is a Pittsburgh Commercial Photographer?
The typical person off the street probably doesn’t realize that there are different types of photographers. They think a photographer is a photographer and since all they’ve been in contact with are wedding and portrait photographers, they usually think that the same photographers that shoot weddings also shoot food, industrial, airier, and every other type of photo needed. In very small towns, that might very well be true, but in a city the size of Pittsburgh, there are other types of photographer that usually do not shoot wedding or family portraits, but instead, work for businesses only, and they are called commercial photographers.
I am a commercial photographer. I shoot for advertising agencies, graphic design firms, hospitals, banks, manufacturers, restaurants, and many other businesses I do not shoot family portraits or weddings, so please don’t ask me to. I’d probably do a mediocre job…
Commercial photography requires many skills that the wedding photographer usually doesn’t possess. It’s not that wedding photographers are not good at what they do, it’s just that a commercial photographer shoots many other things besides weddings and portraits and is used to and has experience in dealing with various subjects and circumstances. Wedding photographers usually are very good at the two things they concentrate on (weddings and portraits), but if they would be placed in another environment of asked to photograph something a little different, most would flounder. They wouldn’t be used to dealing with a chrome product’s reflections. They wouldn’t know how to capture steam coming off a plate of food, or know what a talent agent looks for in a modeling headshot. It’s not what they do. That’s the difference between a commercial photographer and a wedding photographer.
Please take a minute and visit my Commercial Photography Gallery page