One on One with - Jim Garner

Prophotohub & Jim Garner...
jgarnerphoto

boda lens bag
B-Day November-15

1) PPH: Where is home ??
JG: Seattle USA!

2) PPH: How long have you been shooting ?? JG: 10 years professionally but first became interested in middle school. Crazy how that pin hole camera assignment worked out!

3) PPH: What camera gear do you use / and what's your favorite lens ?? JG: I am a lover of my Canon equipment. I shoot both of the the Mark 3's for my non commercial work. Man, to pick one lens would be tough. Each has its part within my goal of telling stories. I feel that showing a lot focal length diversity though out an assignment makes for a more beautiful story. I will say that my favorite daylight lenses are the 70-200 2.8, 24-70 2.8 and the 16-35.2.8 At night I go to 85 1.2, 24, 1.4 and the 50 1.2. That latter 3 are the sexiest but also the slowest to use. I carry them all in my BODA lens bag. A bag I developed for just this purpose. Carrying it on body, accessable by one hand, while you shoot. Examples at www.goboda.com

4) PPH: Do you have a memorable wedding photography moment ?? JG: Each, very memorable however some have seriously touch me to the point of changing my entire style Emily & Marshall, 2006. These two showed so much love for each other on that day. It was like the World had stopped spinning during their vows. The emotion throughout the day was overwhelming. I got totally caught up in it. It was there wedding that inspired us to move forward with story telling photography. We had created a few albums but were not offering them enthusiastically. Emily and Marshall's album was our 6 story album ever created. It took 1st place at WPPI 2007 (studio category) and began a personal creative revolution. You can see this album if you wish on our blog.: http://jgarnerphoto.bigfolioblog.com/

5) PPH: First car? Today's car? What do you want in the future ?? JG: 1st car? Man I loved that crappy Audi fox. Apparently, I didn't deserve it however. Crashed and burned it within weeks. No car after that for awhile Now, my bride mobile is a Rangerover.

6) PPH: Is there anyone else in the "biz" you enjoy shooting with? why? who would you like to shoot with ?? JG: YES! I love to be with my wife Katarina. In the first 5 years of shooting professionally she and I shot every assignment together, in fact we were never apart. We now have been blessed with two little girls. Gabriella and Linnea. Those girls deserve to have there Mommy on the weekends. We've made adjustments to make that work. The largest being weining myself from the need to have a 2nd shooter at all. This year, a few, next year, perhaps more.

7) PPH: Where would you like to shoot that you haven't yet ?? JG: So many places. Paris, Italy? Sweden (where Katarina is from) A two day event would make that a dream.

8) PPH: Where would be your dream " desti " location ?? JG: I'm a Seattle focussed shooter (because I am a Daddy of young girls), however we do allow ourselves 5 destination weddings per year. In fact I'm on my way to Boston now for what is to be a dream. For me, it's not so much about the location, but rather the couple and how they experience their day and the depth of what it is all about. I'm from rainy Seattle. I've been forced to open my eyes and find the beauty that is always there on a wedding day regardless of the weather or location. Sometimes beautiful locations are a distraction. Sometimes it's all a distraction, the dress, the details, etc, etc. OK, I'm rambling now. Sorry

9) PPH: What good tips can you give to a photographer starting off today ?? JG: Be sure to make the EXPERIENCE of your clients the 1st priority in all that you do. You can do this by subtly fitting the day to their style. Then, all you have to do is set the scene, and the moments happen naturally. It becomes REAL. There will be an article on this subject in an upcoming Professional Photographer Magazine.

10) PPH: What is the one approach / step that took your studio to where it is today ?? JG: Two things. Experience planning with the couples, and story telling photography. I no longer shoot for the shot. (if you will) I shoot a series of images that tell a story when laid out in an album format. The crazy thing is that now, that WOW shot comes with ease when compared to my old way of shot hunting. Why? Because I am no longer concerned about getting it. I'm relaxed, the couple is relaxed and free to enjoy things unfolding beautifully.

PPH: In your words any great projects / workshop / seminars / dvds / in the works ?? JG: We like to entertain all of you, our friends in the wedding industry by making fun of ourselves. We've created a spoof of "the office" called "the studio. 6 episodes up and more to come. Check them out on our blog http://jgarnerphoto.bigfolioblog.com/ I'll be speaking at the PPA and Photoplus tradeshow and I have a platform at WPPI. I am also teaming up with Catherine Hall, Gene Higa and Lori Nordstrom to do something extra special for the Texas School next year. Workshops tentatively planned for Spring next year. Let us know if you are interested by emailing Katarina. She can be reached at jgpmentorship@jgarnerphoto.com