One of the fun things I hear every once in a while is this. "That looks like a professional photo!" My years of working for our small community newspaper The Meadville Tribune has allowed me to meet a lot of people and I often get pointed at in public places and hear the words' hey you're the camera guy' or 'look the Tribune dude!' Its funny but I've been around long enough that people don't think of me as a professional photographer, but the guy with the camera that puts the pictures in the paper. So when a picture I take for a client is sean often the reaction is-'wow, these look professional.' Its a compliment. Recently I was told that some photos I took look like they could be in a magazine. Again it was a compliment and I really take it that way even though I know that magazine work is really no different in quality or expertise than newspaper work--at least not the way the photo staff approaches photography at the Meadville Tribune. Jim Stefanucci built a quality level of photography there that is unmatched by papers our size and we take great pride in our work. Even though I snicker myself when I call myself a professional(how can it be a profession when you love to do it so much?) I do make my living at it and so I am a professional. And I'm always trying to learn new ways to make photographs and make better images for my clients and subjects and grow my business. So I guess it is true. I will continue to love hearing people surprised when they see one of my photographs and exclaim... 'Wow, that looks like it was taken by a professional.' SayerMotter Photograph by Richard Sayer for a modeling portfolio.
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Some images captured on 12/2/10 of a fire that destroyed the old Ethan Allen factory, recently used as a business incubator in Union City in slide show below. Its a shame that people have to risk their lives and that old building get destroyed like this, no matter the cause. Covering fires is a very important part of my job, I fear that people don't quite realize how dangerous a firefighters job is. Not only is it important to get the news out about the damage or loss to property, but to show in some way how these people serve us by fighting a fire and keeping it from spreading. In this case it was a matter of keeping the whole thing contained, there was no putting it out. Meadville Tribune photographs by Richard Sayer
For more on the story see the Meadville Tribune website. Click on photo below to be taken to the slide show. I guess when you make images everyday sometimes it gets a little difficult to get really excited about one or another image. On Sunday I was photographing away and I 'd guess I took pretty darn close to 2,000 images. During that time I remember often thinking 'this is close, but not there' then I'd tweak the angle or the light or try to get a different expression or gesture. Then there were other times I felt--yes--this it - this is fresh--this is real. That was the key--that last part. This is real. I think we often put on so much when we're in front of the camera that its hard to capture that 'real.' I remember looking at a series of about a dozen Ed Weston portraits along time ago and really felt that was what portraiture was all about. I feel he captured-'real'. I know that is what Harmony and I strive for and I think thats what will make us stand out as a local studio. We work and work something to find that place where our subject shows a real part of themself. Sounds simple, but it really isn't, part of it is that we won't be able to truly judge when someone is being true to themself because many of our clients we barely know, but we hope in the process of finding that sense of real that we do discover and perhaps achieve something solid and authentic. To us that is a true portrait and not just a likeness of a person. I don't know Christian real well, but this picture and a couple others I felt like we were touching on a part of her personality--though not her entire personality--and were creating something a little less 'posed and perfect SayerMotter Photograph by Richard Sayer.
It was one of the first snowy days of the season this morning in Meadville, Pennsylvania. I woke up early and drove around town for awhile enjoying the snow. I got kinda cold and tired...so I did what any sensible Crawford County resident would do. I headed for the Meadville Market House for some delightful Christmas cookies. They were made by the 'Cookie-Lady.' If you get a chance, you should check her out. Her tiny creations are wonderful. I bit that snowman's head off and enjoyed every second of it!
Photos By: Harmony Motter Cookies By: The Cookie-Lady |