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LTR!001 – Do We Need A Style? Fuel Your Passion and Master Client Communication!
Introducing Gerry Kingsley
Gerry Kingsley is a Canadian commercial and contemporary portrait photographer. His clients range from artists, authors, politicians, actors, models, and other public figures.
His style can best be described as in editorial portraiture with a cinematic look. Gerry prefers to tell a story with one and every image he takes
Gerry co-runs Studio Nine Eight in Sudbury, does write for Retouching Academy and teaches photography at Thorneloe University.
His portfolio perfectly demonstrates his editorial style and cinematic look: please, have a look at Gerry’s work!
Let’s Talk Retouching! #1 – Our Topics:
Do We Retouchers Need A Style?
The first topic I have been discussing with Gerry was if a retoucher needs his or her own style in order to get work or to be taken seriously in the industry.
Gerry is convinced it is a two-part thing. For once it surely is advantageous to have a style. However, some photographers might not have their own style and therefore demand a retoucher’s creative input to create a visual style for the job. When it comes to hiring a retoucher he thinks it definitely helps to stand out from competitors but he would also want to know if a retoucher can take his work to another level, add creative input, and still work cohesively within the style he has himself.
In my personal opinion, we need to be flexible with our style to satisfy our client’s needs. This often means to not apply our own style and taste but to work with them and to also adjust to their style and taste.
We can both agree your skills and craft has to be top level to keep up with the industry. Just being a one trick pony might get you a food into the door but won’t help you for very long.
Your Passion Is Your Asset!
The conversation has continued into talking about how we might stylistically want to brand ourselves and our business.
You Have To Be Good For Yourself!
We both could agree on just being a retoucher is not good enough. You need to understand photography, lighting and the creative process of advertising.
Your portfolio represents your passion. It is your asset and demonstrates the type of work you want to get booked for and therefore should be cohesive and demonstrate your skills and creativity.
Getting Involved With The Creative Team
Working commercially means to work as a team. However, as a retoucher, you are not always super involved. It will help you a lot to understand the processes going on in the commercial world, struggles on set, and your client’s needs in terms of key factors to sell their ideas and products.
You also have to be willing to invest in making a connection with the other team members even if they are not the paying client. It will benefit the overall outcome. The information you can gain from other team members can be extremely important throughout the process.
Ask The Right Questions!
View all episodes
Introducing Gerry Kingsley
Gerry Kingsley is a Canadian commercial and contemporary portrait photographer. His clients range from artists, authors, politicians, actors, models, and other public figures.
His style can best be described as in editorial portraiture with a cinematic look. Gerry prefers to tell a story with one and every image he takes
Gerry co-runs Studio Nine Eight in Sudbury, does write for Retouching Academy and teaches photography at Thorneloe University.
His portfolio perfectly demonstrates his editorial style and cinematic look: please, have a look at Gerry’s work!
Let’s Talk Retouching! #1 – Our Topics:
Do We Retouchers Need A Style?
The first topic I have been discussing with Gerry was if a retoucher needs his or her own style in order to get work or to be taken seriously in the industry.
Gerry is convinced it is a two-part thing. For once it surely is advantageous to have a style. However, some photographers might not have their own style and therefore demand a retoucher’s creative input to create a visual style for the job. When it comes to hiring a retoucher he thinks it definitely helps to stand out from competitors but he would also want to know if a retoucher can take his work to another level, add creative input, and still work cohesively within the style he has himself.
In my personal opinion, we need to be flexible with our style to satisfy our client’s needs. This often means to not apply our own style and taste but to work with them and to also adjust to their style and taste.
We can both agree your skills and craft has to be top level to keep up with the industry. Just being a one trick pony might get you a food into the door but won’t help you for very long.
Your Passion Is Your Asset!
The conversation has continued into talking about how we might stylistically want to brand ourselves and our business.
You Have To Be Good For Yourself!
We both could agree on just being a retoucher is not good enough. You need to understand photography, lighting and the creative process of advertising.
Your portfolio represents your passion. It is your asset and demonstrates the type of work you want to get booked for and therefore should be cohesive and demonstrate your skills and creativity.
Getting Involved With The Creative Team
Working commercially means to work as a team. However, as a retoucher, you are not always super involved. It will help you a lot to understand the processes going on in the commercial world, struggles on set, and your client’s needs in terms of key factors to sell their ideas and products.
You also have to be willing to invest in making a connection with the other team members even if they are not the paying client. It will benefit the overall outcome. The information you can gain from other team members can be extremely important throughout the process.
Ask The Right Questions!