Take & Talk Pics

Good People In Bad Places - Gavin John

Today’s featured guest is Gavin John

Gavin is a freelance photojournalist based out of Calgary a city in Alberta, Canada.  His work has been featured in the Sun Media papers across Canada and Maclean’s Magazine. Gavin was deployed in the Philippines to photograph the Canadian armed forces in their recovery efforts following Typhoon Haiyan. Most recently Gavin spent a week in Pyongyang, North Korea where he documented daily life in the capital.

Message from Rob:It's not every day you meet someone like Gavin. His work is inspiring and his stories are beyond fascinating. I learned about Gavin through a Documentary on Netflix called "The Propaganda Game". It is so new that it isn't yet offer on Netflix Canada yet so Gavin hasn't seen it. Although he did live it. I want to remind you Photo World that no matter how far fetched you think it is to meet someone, sending an email or tweeting to them can make all the difference. I don't know if I would have ever had the opportunity to interview Gavin if I didn't just try with an email following the slightest introduction through a Documentary on Netflix. You just never know what life can bring.

Recommended Resource:nicoletung.com

w: gavinbryanjohn.com

Blog:  gavinbryanjohn.com/blog

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2015 © Take&TalkPics

Look For The Right Jobs... Not All Jobs - Chad Griffith

Today’s featured guest is Chad Griffith

Chad is a New York City based commercial portrait photographer. His main body of work consists of celebrities and musicians. He has shot for magazines like Backstage and the village VOICE as well as major brands such as New Balance and Oakley.

We talk about looking at other photographers work. I would like to invite you Photo World to look at the photographers, starting with Chad's work. You learn a whole lot about the photographer you want to be when you seek out inspiration from others in the industry. Especially if they are in the industry you are aiming for.The constant reminders about the proper steps to take as a newer and learning photographer are so refreshing. We see a photographer like Chad with portraits of actor John Boyega and think how do you get there to be in front of such (recently) high profiled people? You work toward it a bit at a time, a long time, and never back down from this sometimes terrifying business. 

Lastly I want to pull out one part of this episode and that is to: "Have a think skin." Chad reminded Photo World. No one likes rejection but it is 60% of the business. (I made up that stat)

Happy Shooting!

Recommended Resource:

Look in magazines or newspapers and be inspired.

w: chadgriffith.com

How To Get Your Dream Job - Monday Message

Photo World if you look back to episode 67 I did a Monday Message about having a gratitude attitude. It is that same idea of a positive perspective that I want to speak to you about today.

Most common path to a successful business

After the pattern of learning and growing hits you know you are running a sustainable business. Many new photographers start their “business” thinking it will be easy. However most companies don’t turn a profit for 3-5 years and many people get burnt out before that ever comes. How many times has it come up on the show that this is a slow play for the long haul? Practice makes perfect… not just with your photography but a business as well. I am practicing my business every time I sit down to answer emails, each time I return a phone call, when I sit down and meet with clients, any time anywhere I am practicing my business. Just because I know how to meter my camera and set up my lights doesn’t mean I don’t check on myself every time. I have to check on myself, because I could easily miss something that I thought was routine. I always find that when I have a routine, something I could “do in my sleep”, I make a mistake because I went into that situation with far less attention to my “routine”. This episode is all about one thought process, one idea that may make all the difference in obtaining your dream job. Not to give it all away, but your next meeting, email, gig, shoot, or book keeping is the dream.

Happy Shooting!

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Stay Wild - Thayer Allyson Gowdy

Today’s featured guest is Thayer Allyson Gowdy

Thayer is a lifestyle photographer based in San Francisco California. The majority of her work is portrait based and Thayer has shot for clients such as Tommy Hillfiger, Apple, Chase, Dockers, Hugo Boss, JCPenny, Levis, Martha Stewart, Men’s Wearhouse, Pottery Barn, Sony,  Target, Vanity Fair, and Verizon to name just a few from a long list of clients.

Thayer has been splitting her time between Bolinas, a hippy surf town on the cliffs over the Pacific in Norcal, and San Francisco the past few years. When not in SF at her modern home on the leafy streets of Bernal Hill with a hot pink front door, she is photographing the west coast vibe, building outdoor showers and dining with friends in her apple orchard in Bolinas. All the while with her scruffy terrier, Scout. She shoots and directs for the likes of Apple, Target, and Levis. Her work is inspired by sincerity and playfulness. Capturing fun, beauty and happiness in the everyday. A Connecticut native who moved West, she finds inspiration in the western landscape in the far reaches of Northern California. Taking Polaroids of it’s every nook. Seeking out hot springs and the pink fog at sunset. Her lifestyle work celebrates the real stories of those that find themselves in front of her lens. Her energy when shooting is always open, fun & caring. Boundless when she has a shot list as long as her arm, quiet when on a farm, filming crafters in their studios in Vancouver. Adaptable and always filled with easy going charm. With the recent poster/zine “Take Me to the Sea” in collaboration with the Lower East Side gallery, Ed Varie, her personal work is sexy, nostalgic and fresh. She is driven by color, texture and patterns in the landscape from her travels. Her bags are rarely unpacked. She is often on her way to South America, Cuba, Asia, Mexico or Big Sur; where she spends her free time. Thayer is a local to SF, LA and NY.

Recommended Resource:

Photo Shelter

w: thayergowdy.com

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2015 © Take&TalkPics

Kareem Black - Shoot What You Love - episode 119

Today’s featured guest is Kareem Black

Kareem is a commercial photographer based in New York City. He has worked for companies like McDonalds, Verizon, Pepsi, Maxim, GQ, ESPN, Samsung… the list goes on and on. Kareem’s jobs often include photographing many celebrities and along with his commercial work he continues developing personal projects.

Upon his graduation from the School of Visual Arts, New York-based photographer Kareem Black went straight into shooting for Fader, GQ, Sony Music Entertainment, and Atlantic Records. He was featured as one of Photo District News’ 30 Emerging Photographers – and soon became the go-to lens-man for Reebok, Complex, and Steve Madden. Along with his commercial work, Black keeps busy with a variety of personal projects including Feels Good Let’s Go, a website that depicts the more interesting participants in N.Y.C.’s nightlife. He traveled to Haiti twice (once with Art in Motion and once with Healing Haiti) and mounted shows of his images taken there, with all money going to charity. Kareem has also been a part of Charity missions in Bosnia and Sri Lanka. Black has lectured at SVA, NYU, Pratt, the Fashion Institute of Technology, the Rochester Institute of Technology, The Professional Photographers Association and the PhotoPlus Expo. Client list: Malibu Rum, BBDO, HBO, Brooklyn Brothers, McDonalds, Fuse TV, Adidas, Verizon, Kool Aid, Burger King, Pepsi, W Hotels, Vitamin Water, Arena, Maxim, GQ, Vibe, Sourz, Flaunt, ESPN, Mens Health, Budweiser, Spin, Spike DDB, Sports Illustrated, VH1, MTV, New Era, Popular Science Magazine, People Magazine, Reebok, Atlantic Records, Samsung, Fed Ex, Inc Magazine & Steve Madden. 

Branding Your Business - Monday Message

The importance of branding. Well Photo World I didn't know the first thing about branding a business when I started. I was so considered with everything from my photography studio name to the logo and colors being perfect and the right feel I thought looked good, that I didn't even consider how that fit with my photography or my personality. In life we sometimes hear "it's the little things that matter" and that is never been more true than when Branding a business. Do you have a specific style and does your business' personality mesh well with that style? Who are your ideal clients and are you designing your brand for that niche market? How does your brand feel when mixed with your the artist? Like I said it is the little things that matter. Consider your first encounter with a new potential client... does it matter how you are dressed? Sadly it does matter and it matters a lot. Branding your business starts with branding yourself. Would you rather meet in person or do things over the phone? What colors are in your logo? If there is texted involved what font and size are you considering?

In short Branding is the personality of anything. If you want to better brand your business decide on the personality of your business. Listen to today's episode for my thoughts on the subject and share your branding questions here or on the facebook page.

Happy Shooting!

Perry Hagopian - Learn and Grow then Learn - episode 117

Today’s featured guest is Perry Hagopian

Perry is a Celebrity and Fashion photographer based out of New York City, New York. He has been shaping his career since the age of 19 and Perry’s work has been published in Cosmopolitan, InStyle, Glamour U.K., Town & Country, and People Magazine just to name a few. Let’s find out more about your story and dive into your business.

Rob: I could have talked to Perry for hours! The conversation probably would have gone on but I hand to make many cuts in my usual questions to keep just under 40 minutes. (10 more than my usual interviews) I have the power to edit but there were so many little details that, if I was a newer photographer, would be the career changing words of advice. I just about lost my place when Perry talked about how we should go into each job we have. (if you listen you'll know what I'm talking about) That small bit of advice changed my very next photo job. I was feeling down and wasn't looking forward to it but in one small group of words everything changed. PS... I did awesome and felt great about the job once it was all said and done. Photo World please share with me your favorite piece from this interview with Perry Hagopian.

Photographer Perry Hagopian is best known for his fashion and celebrity pictures, and perfect technical lighting. He grew up in Las Vegas and moved to New York City at 19 to pursue a career behind the camera. He swiftly landed a job assisting Rico Puhlmann: after Puhlmann's death in 1996, Hagopian helped finish his monograph, "Rico Puhlmann: A Fashion Legacy." He later worked under director Gus Van Sant and Mark Abrahams.

W: perryhagopian.com

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2015 © Take&TalkPics

116 Jamie Mathews - Be Yourself

Today’s featured guest is Jamie Mathews

Jamie is a wife, mother, and owner of her photography business Jamie Lee Creativity based in Deland, Florida. As a portrait photographer Jamie specializes in high school seniors, families, maternity, newborns, and weddings.

Recommended Resource:

Creative Live

perfectweddingguide.com

W: jamieleecreativity.com

Blog: jamieleecreativity.com/central-florida-photographer

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2015 © Take&TalkPics

Monday Message - Who Moved My Cheese

                It is hard enough to build a business, but when do you stop the building process? Is there a specific time in a company’s growth where one should be content with all they achieved and stay comfortably in that place?

               It is a difficult thing to decide on and in today’s Monday Message I share with you my thoughts on the subject and more so on the ups and downs of change. To justify a bad situation many people will tell you change is good and everything will work out. When it seems like you are stuck in life a change is something we often consider. I talk about how much or how little one should/may want to change and the importance of turning points in a business.

                If you look back to the first Take & Talk Pics interview you can hear how much I have changed as a host and interviewer. The format of the show had seen a few adjustments with adding the Monday Message, then the Fundamental Friday’s, and now I have removed the Fundamental Friday’s.

                Things improve or sometimes falter and weather direct or indirect, change is almost always to blame or thank for such things. They evolve and I talk about a handful of great points on the subject. It doesn’t matter what you do after hearing this episode Photo World but I promise change is coming.

Change is hard and the best thing you can do for growth

Who Moved My Cheese - Book

Happy Shooting!

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Nancy Green - Always Do Your Best

Today’s featured guest is Nancy Green

Nancy is a family and senior portrait photographer based out of Carver Massachusetts. With the long list of accomplishments and professional certificates it is hard to know where to start. Nancy is president of both Professional Photographers of Massachusetts and Professional Photographers of New England. She has her PPA Master of Photography and PPA Craftsman Certificates.

I started way back when in a little town called Hopewell Jct. New York. Yup, really, there IS a town called that. Assisting a terrific photographer (my mentor), Ed Towsley, at his place of business “The Country Studio”.

Went to Rhode Island Photography School for a couple of years of intense training (oh and a whole lot of fun) and after graduating, went to work for Gainsboro Studio in Salem MA. I learned a lot about studio management and “life” and decided to move on and open my own place in Plymouth MA.

Green Photographers opened in Plymouth in 1979 then moved to Carver in 2004. Today the studio is known as “Nancy Green Photography” and is located at 90 A Main Street, Carver MA. The studio has a great layout for beautiful studio portraits with lots of room for large families or products. It’s located close to ponds and beautiful landscaped areas I travel to for the environmental settings. I am just minutes to some great beaches if the shoreline is your desire.

The moment I opened my studio I joined every professional photographic organization I could to learn more and stay educated with a changing profession. After many years I became a president of both Professional Photographers of Massachusetts and Professional Photographers of New England. In 1996 I received the PPA Master of Photography degree and followed in 1997 with my PPA Craftsman. I am a Certified Professional Photographer and a PPA Affiliated Judge. I think it’s clear I am dedicated to the betterment of our profession through the education of myself and others.

I received one of the highest honors given by my peers, the PPA National Award not once (From Massachusetts) but twice (From Vermont).Image Competition is one of my favorite “sports”. I’ve been blessed to receive many honors such as Kodak Gallery, Fuji Masterpiece, PPAM Court of Honors, PPANE Court of Honors and other various awards for my images. Competition keeps you focused and on your toes in this profession. Competing in the Professional Photographers of America competitions is the best way to know where you stand amongst the crowd. It is the way to have other professionals honor your work or help you find its flaws. It keeps you growing and changing in the ever changing field of photography.