Alicia and I both have had an interest in art since a very early age. Drawing for me and Alicia loved sculpting. My interest in photography began as a kid. I was trained in film (digital was still on the horizon) in large and medium format before being allowed to use 35 mm. My main area of interest was landscape photography but as time went by I developed a fondness for photographing people. They're just so unpredictable. It makes people photography a lot of fun.
As time went by Alicia saw this expensive hobby that I had a passion for and asked why I couldn't turn it into a source of income so I could make a living doing something I loved to do. How many people get to work at something they love to do? Not many.
One thing I knew is that we would have a different approach from what all other photographers were offering. In other words - we would be affordable and more importantly, we would offer the negatives with our packages.
This infuriated photographers throughout the state. People that were once friends called us immoral and unethical because as they put it we were selling our signature. I thought of it as vision besides, it's my signature and I can do as I please. The phone calls and e-mails I received were less than unfriendly.
But if one looks around today you would be hard pressed to find someone that does not include the images with their packages or at the very least offers the images in addition to what they offer. Those photographers that refused to change with the times and technology are no longer able to enjoy this wonderful medium of art as a source of income to enrich their lives.
I feel our commitment to offer our clients what they desired has had a huge effect on the wedding photography industry over the last 10 years.
We set a few other trends as well.
A little while back we announced that we would be offering photobooths at receptions. This is usually offered by DJ companies and strictly IT people. Since our announcement we have seen at least one very popular photographer in the Detroit area start to offer photobooths as well and who could blame her. It falls right into what we both love to do. Photographing people on one of the happiest days of their lives. I've never had the pleasure of meeting this woman but I have seen her work over the years. She constantly strives to improve her craft from what I can see so professionally we have much in common.
We also offer a level of DVD slideshows that is unmatched by anyone. There have been a few photographers that have started to offer the level of creativity that equals our own. Previously, you had to search nationwide to find the creativeness we now offer at an affordable price. Before it would cost $200 and up after you paid a photographer $4500 to shoot your wedding day.
If you haven't seen it yet check this link out.
We were the first in Michigan to offer gold layered archival disks. These disks are designed for longevity and we wish more photographers would use them before their business suffers a tragic setback..
Alicia and I love what we do and hope we can continue to improve and never be afraid to try something new. We will change as time goes by. Except that we always want to serve in excellence and offer photography that has an impact.
