Thomas Studio Photography
www.thomasstudiophotography.com/
When I visited Thomas Studio Photographer, instead of doing an interview, Thomas let me participate with a photo shoot. This photo shoot was for a book called Dark Requiem. My job for this photo shoot was to help with props. For the photo shoot I set up tulips and music sheets on the floor for a base. One of Thomas’s best photos was a prop shot that I set up [see above to the left]. That day I also “built” a set for them to use. One of the shots for this was the characters laying down, but the clothes conflicted with that. Instead I was put to task and I glue many sheets to a wood board [see above to the right]. This is how they took the laying down shoots. My last big job was to through music sheets in the air so Thomas could take photos of music flying around the models. This field experience was very beneficial because I was able to see the business side of what a photography career would look like. I was able to see how they set up contracts with models, how models get ready for shoots, and how photographers direct their models.
Ralston Photography
https://www.ralstonphoto.com/
Interview with Max Ralston:
How did you develop an interest in photography?
Max developed an interest in photography when he was a child. His father was a professional photographer and he grew up watching his dad take pictures. His dad took pictures of many famous actors as children. For example one of the famous child actors he took pictures of was Leonardo Dicaprio. Max grew up in California and lived there until around 5 years ago.
When did you start taking pictures professionally?
Max started professionally taking pictures of people 10 years ago in Colorado. 5 years ago he moved with his family to Colorado and continued his business.
What education do you have?
Max studied film and television in college and also learned about visual effects.
What type of camera equipment do you use?
Max started out with a Canon camera with are DSLR cameras. He now shoots with a Sony mirrorless camera. In his opinion Sony has more accurate photos.
What lens do you use? Why?
Max uses different lenses for different purposes. His main use in lenses is the prime lens that helps with focal length. The prime lense does not have the ability to zoom in and out so as a photographer he has to move his own feet. The prime lenses have a fixed length but are faster than the normal zoom lens.
How do you determine lighting when taking pictures.
When taking photos lighting depends on whether the pictures are being taken indoors or outdoors. When taking photos outdoors, the sun is the main source of lighting. You take pictures depending on the suns positioning. When taking pictures indoors, it is smarter to use lights to adjust based on the photo. The three components that work together to create the best lighting exposure is ISO, aperture and shutter speed.
What software system do you use to edit your photos?
Max typically uses Adobe Photoshop which is the most common use of editing.
How do you get clients? How do you get your name out there?
There are two ways to get your business name out there. Advertising and the internet. Max does not believe that advertising is the best form of communication because there is so much advertising being able to be noticed out of all of it is harder. Max gets most of his business through his website and clients talking about him.
How many shoots do you take in a single shoot?
The amount of shots taken per shoot depends on the type of shoot happening. There are four main shoots that Max does. Weddings, headshots, senior pictures and family portraits. Wedding shoots can vary from 2,000 to 3,000 photos. Family Portraits are around 200 photos per shoot. Headshots are typically 100 photos. Senior portraits vary based on outdoor or indoor shoots. Indoor and outdoor shoots are around 600 to 700 shots. If a client wanted both indoor and outdoor photos there would be about 1,000 photos.
What does your typical day look like?
Max’s typical week day starts with his taking his kids to school. Once he drops them off he goes home and checks over emails and voicemails. If those emails and voicemails have to do with booking a shoot he will respond. He will also do follow-ups with scheduled clients coming up. Once all of his phone calls and emails are answered, he will schedule his social media posts. Once the afternoon comes he will typically have one to two shoots. After those are finished he edits any photos from the shoots.
What advice would you give to someone trying to be a professional photographer?
Max’s advice for someone wanting to become a professional photographer would be to have passion for photography. If you do not have passion you shouldn’t be pursuing it. His second piece of advice would be to take a business class over a photography class. This is because since it is a business you want to have those skills. Almost anyone can teach themselves photography so he recommends a business class. His last piece of advice would be to learn how to market to clients. You have to be able to get your business out there to be successful.
How did you develop an interest in photography?
Max developed an interest in photography when he was a child. His father was a professional photographer and he grew up watching his dad take pictures. His dad took pictures of many famous actors as children. For example one of the famous child actors he took pictures of was Leonardo Dicaprio. Max grew up in California and lived there until around 5 years ago.
When did you start taking pictures professionally?
Max started professionally taking pictures of people 10 years ago in Colorado. 5 years ago he moved with his family to Colorado and continued his business.
What education do you have?
Max studied film and television in college and also learned about visual effects.
What type of camera equipment do you use?
Max started out with a Canon camera with are DSLR cameras. He now shoots with a Sony mirrorless camera. In his opinion Sony has more accurate photos.
What lens do you use? Why?
Max uses different lenses for different purposes. His main use in lenses is the prime lens that helps with focal length. The prime lense does not have the ability to zoom in and out so as a photographer he has to move his own feet. The prime lenses have a fixed length but are faster than the normal zoom lens.
How do you determine lighting when taking pictures.
When taking photos lighting depends on whether the pictures are being taken indoors or outdoors. When taking photos outdoors, the sun is the main source of lighting. You take pictures depending on the suns positioning. When taking pictures indoors, it is smarter to use lights to adjust based on the photo. The three components that work together to create the best lighting exposure is ISO, aperture and shutter speed.
What software system do you use to edit your photos?
Max typically uses Adobe Photoshop which is the most common use of editing.
How do you get clients? How do you get your name out there?
There are two ways to get your business name out there. Advertising and the internet. Max does not believe that advertising is the best form of communication because there is so much advertising being able to be noticed out of all of it is harder. Max gets most of his business through his website and clients talking about him.
How many shoots do you take in a single shoot?
The amount of shots taken per shoot depends on the type of shoot happening. There are four main shoots that Max does. Weddings, headshots, senior pictures and family portraits. Wedding shoots can vary from 2,000 to 3,000 photos. Family Portraits are around 200 photos per shoot. Headshots are typically 100 photos. Senior portraits vary based on outdoor or indoor shoots. Indoor and outdoor shoots are around 600 to 700 shots. If a client wanted both indoor and outdoor photos there would be about 1,000 photos.
What does your typical day look like?
Max’s typical week day starts with his taking his kids to school. Once he drops them off he goes home and checks over emails and voicemails. If those emails and voicemails have to do with booking a shoot he will respond. He will also do follow-ups with scheduled clients coming up. Once all of his phone calls and emails are answered, he will schedule his social media posts. Once the afternoon comes he will typically have one to two shoots. After those are finished he edits any photos from the shoots.
What advice would you give to someone trying to be a professional photographer?
Max’s advice for someone wanting to become a professional photographer would be to have passion for photography. If you do not have passion you shouldn’t be pursuing it. His second piece of advice would be to take a business class over a photography class. This is because since it is a business you want to have those skills. Almost anyone can teach themselves photography so he recommends a business class. His last piece of advice would be to learn how to market to clients. You have to be able to get your business out there to be successful.