Boston Portrait Photographers

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Photographer

How did you get started with photography

Many years ago, as I sat opposite an advisor who was helping me “get going” in adulthood, we got off topic and he asked a question: “If your house was on fire, and all your loved ones and any pets were out safely, and you could only go back to save one more thing, what would it be?” I don’t recall what my answer was, but he responded “My photographs, as they are irreplaceable”. That statement about the value of photographs has stayed with me since. I was the “family and friends” photographer, but was never a “camera geek” growing up. I never had a “real” camera until a few years ago, when I bought my first interchangeable-lens camera (DSLR). Later that year, our oldest daughter was getting married. She had a wedding photographer, but my wife asked me to take some photos at the reception after he had gone. Armed with my camera and first hot-shoe flash, I proceeded to take a bunch of photos that really were not very good. It was painfully apparent I had no understanding of indoor flash photography. Instead of discouragement, I felt mad, but in a way which motivated me to find out what I was doing wrong. I searched the Internet and read on-line forums; I took a couple of seminars; I read a LOT of books by famous photographers. With my desire to grow as a photographer, I started volunteering for different causes, and eventually photographed a couple of events for the local PBS station (WGBH). It was during these events I got hooked on Event Photography. At one of the events, a caterer who was there asked if he could see some of the photos I took of his crew, which I sent off to him a couple of days later. He wrote back, and asked if I was available to photograph an event they were catering. It was a huge confidence booster for me and my developing skills.

What do you love about your job?

I feel I have an excellent ability for capturing the essence and feeling of an event through candid and posed photos. My friendly and outgoing personality put people at ease when I ask to take their photograph. I am a very patient photographer, and will wait for the right moment for that perfect candid photo. All of this leads to the important end result: my photographs tell the story of the event from beginning to end in the way the client wants it. There are few things better than taking great photos of people enjoying themselves at an event. I have always been an outgoing and sociable person, so interacting with the people I am photographing is very enjoyable to me.

What are some of your favorite places in Boston to take photographs?

Faneuil Hall area because of the impressive buildings; Boston Harbor area and the surrounding public spaces.

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