Prophotohub & [b]ecker...B-DAY October-16
1) PPH: Where is home ??
[b]: I live in beautiful Mission Viejo, California, just a mile or so away from where I grew up and my folks.
2) PPH: How long have you been shooting ?? [b]: Believe it or not, I've been shooting for over half of my life. I picked up a camera for the first time at 16, and I am almost 35.
3) PPH: What camera gear do you use / and what's your favorite lens ??
[b]: I like telling people I'm bi. Which means I have Nikon and Canon gear. But if I had to pick, I have been loving my Canon 1Ds Mark III lately and I use the 50mm/f1.2 most often, but I've got my eye on a the 200mm/f2 and it will be mine soon!
4) PPH: Do you have a memorable wedding photography moment ??
[b]: So many, but I'll never forget shooting in the pouring rain in on Lake Como in Italy. The bride's dad bought up all the umbrellas in town and everyone just stood around in the rain while they tied the knot. It made for some interesting images and I was blown away by the bride's attitude. All she cared about was marrying the guy she was in love with and didn't mind a little precipitation ;-)
5) PPH: First car? Today's car? What do you want in the future ??
[b]: 1979 Chrysler Le Baron. It was brown and looked like a big turd. Right now I'm rollin' in an Infiniti FX 35 and for my 35th [ b ]-day which is coming up... I've got my eye on something sexy and exotic. I figure I better get a fun car while I'm still single and kid free.
6) PPH: Is there anyone else in the "biz" you enjoy shooting with? why? who would you like to shoot with ??
[b]: I've been lucky enough to have Jessica Claire along as a second shooter several times and I've also been fortunate to second shoot at some of her amazing destination weddings. David Jay and I had a blast shooting last year. I think I'd really like to shoot with Denis Reggie sometime, he's the one responsible for me becoming a wedding photographer. It would also be cool to tag along with John Michael Cooper. I could go on and on.
7) PPH: Where would you like to shoot that you haven't yet ??
[b]: Notre Dame in Paris would be fun, I've already shot at the Vatican.
8) PPH: Where would be your dream " desti " location ??
[b]: At a castle in Scotland complete with kilts and knives in the socks.
9) PPH: What good tips can you give to a photographer starting off today ??
[b]: How much space do I have? I think the most important thing I can tell new people is to keep the big picture in mind. Don't get hung up on gear, or software, or even the photos themselves. This is a business, and there is so much that goes into being successful. I am also a big fan of networking and building relationships. Working with vendors, other photographers and taking good care of my clients has enabled me to build my business without spending a dime on advertising... it's definitely the way to go!
10) PPH: What is the one approach / step that took your studio to where it is today??
[b]: Seriously, when I started out, I was so turned off by some old school photographers who didn't want to share or help in any way. I met Joe Photo and we started a network and helped each other build our businesses. Over the years, the network grew and grew and it is still growing today. Don't look at other photographers as competition... look at them as referral sources.
PPH: In your words any great projects / workshop / seminars / dvds / in the works??
[b]: Well as you know, I have been working super hard on building the [ b ] school and it's just about to launch. I truly believe it is going to change the way photographers connect on the web. It's more than just a fancy social network, but an actual social referral network that is dedicated to helping it's members put more money in their pockets. I am so excited. It drops October 1!
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