Photography by Brent Michael

A Few Words About Pricing

2009-06-06T23:04:00.000-07:00

Well, some video, actually:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2a8TRSgzZY&feature=player_embedded

My Review of Bogen - Manfrotto Lightweight 4 Section Monopod Black Anodized #676B / 3006B

2009-05-04T20:43:00.001-07:00

Adorama

Bogen - Manfrotto Lightweight 4 Section Monopod Black Anodized #676B / 3006B

Light but sturdy

PhotoBrent Tampa, FL 5/4/2009

Pros: Opens Quickly, Strong Construction, Compact, Lightweight

Best Uses: Stabilization, Reducing Noise (ISO Reduction), Portraits, Sport Photography

Describe Yourself: Pro Photographer

I have a larger monopod with a pistol-grip head, but this one is a perfect alternative for those times when I need lightweight portability.

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Why I am different...

2009-04-25T21:54:00.000-07:00

I attend lots of networking functions, and also go on photoshoots with other photographers. An experience I had recently gave me something new to say when people asjk why they should hire me instead of the other person.

We were shooting family/model portraits on the beach. I was put in a group with another photographer I'll just call JT. JT and I have different philosophies about shooting and our roles.

JT was constantly asking the model/families, "What type of portrait would you like to see? What's your ideal portrait, pose, etc.?" Now I know some of you are likely thinking, "That's good, he was communicating and client-centered in his approach," and you're right - to a point. The problem as I see it is twofold with that approach. First of all, most people really have no idea about poses or ideal portraits. They can point to one and say "I like that idea or pose" but they don't know how to start from scratch and build a portrait. The models seemed a bit perplexed by this approach, and stammered and stuttered a bit, mostly saying, "Well, whatever you want to do is fine."

Now in his defense I'll note that none of us had the opportunity to meet the models before, so we had no idea of what they liked or didn't like. I'll also agree that it's important to get to know the client's stylistic preferences before a shoot, and to take those into account. I always, ALWAYS spend some time with my clients getting to know their stylistic preferences before a shot begins. By the time the wedding day rolls around we've had multiple conversations and I have a good idea of what they like.

But - now it's time for me to do MY job. My clients don't pay me just to take photographs according to their ideas, which is a good way to get lots of photos that look just like everyone else's photos. BORING! My clients pay me to recognize the style they are looking for and take things to another level, coming up with ideas neither they nor the traditional photographer they could have hired (for less money) would think of - to create art, not just craft. That's what makes me different, what makes me unique. That's what makes them go "Wow!"

Oh I am way behind...

2009-04-25T21:38:00.000-07:00

but on the good side one reason why is business, been doing lots of photo business cards of late...photograph, design, get printed, 5000 cards for $150, a deal few in my networking groups can pass up! Here are a few that I've done lately... see if you can pick out the original card design, one of the three below:

Okay, I know, the photo kinda gives it away...but you can see the new cards are clearer, easier to read, and most importantly can be easily associated with the person they belong to!

Engagement pix & DJ Brad!

2009-03-18T20:26:00.000-07:00

DJ Brad usually spend Wednesdays with the Applebees crowd in Oldsmar, but of course this week he was there for the wearin' of the green, entertaining crowds here for basketball...this one from Jersey.

Gotta love the hat!

A few days before, I was in Zephyr Park doing some engagement photos for CRystal and Jason; here are a few samples:

Mocking a wedding

2009-03-10T13:10:00.000-07:00

Okay, technically this was a model shoot in which the models wore clothes appropriate for a wedding. It was in a park, and there were way too many photographers per model-couple (about ten), and it wasn't really much like a real wedding because we had plenty of time and a lack of dozens of wedding guests distracting the couple - well, okay, with ten photographers of experience levels varying from nearly none to longtime veterans like yours truly, maybe it wasn't that much different. Anyway, I was hoping we were going to do a "trash the dress" session, but, alas, no one was willing to go there.

Still, managed to get a few good shots.

The Corpse Bride Wedding

2009-03-01T16:44:00.000-08:00

I must admit, this wedding will be hard to top. An attractive couple with a great sense of humor, up for anything, a great location, what more could a photographer ask for? Oh, great weather too! Here's the irony: this wasn't even my booking. See, I was out in Vegas at the Wedding and Portrait Photographer's International Conference, and I wasn't getting back until Friday night. Given the vagaries and unreliability of flights these days, I'm not generally willing to take the chance on missing someone's wedding by booking one the day after the conference. On the other hand, one reason I belong to such organizations is that professional photographers are mostly single-person operations, because photography is an art form and clients generally hire me because they want my style - and that means we need a network of photographers whose style we know and who will help out when the situation arises.

In this case, it was my turn to step up; I was called on the day before by a sick photographer, and naturally I was happy to help out. Funny thing is, she didn't even know the wedding was a themed event, and I just happened to be the perfect guy to do it! So enjoy!

I'm not telling what was in those bowls....

Mom was very supportive!

Now the in-laws, well....

And there was the maid of honor...

No comment.

Arrr. Arrrrrr!

Infrared fit the mood very well.

No dear, the cake's over there...

Mr. GQ!

A cake that bleeds! Cool!

Las Vegas After-WPPI Shots

2009-03-01T14:49:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Paris, Vegas...

Taxis, taxis, and more taxis, seems like there's an entire underground city made up just of taxis.
Fountains at night are even better....

One BIG Harley...

Talk about going green....

In Vegas, even Mickey D's has bling!

A little silver paint and you too can be a Vegas street performer!

This is where I stayed...in the room with the light on right below the owl!

One very "cool" bar on the walkway between the Luxor and the Mandalay Bay Conference Center....the aluminum sculpture below is in the Luxor itself.

Slow shutter speed and moving walkways give a new meaning to "streaking" in Vegas. A short walk and you can be in New York!

Or you could be in Old England - Vegas is kinda like Epcot with strippers!

Personally, I think the hotel & conference center look much cooler at night!

Revisiting the past....

2009-03-01T14:30:00.000-08:00

I got annoyed with some issues I was having with my previous blogsite so I decided to create a new one. My past site was http://photobrent.shotblogs.com, a site supposedly designed for photographers, but which kept having issues posting photos. I'm hoping this will be better...but if you're interested in my past posts, please go there!