So often photographers are associated with the act of capturing the image, i.e. 'taking the picture'.  Its important, don't get me wrong, but its only one small step in the process.  If professional photography were just about capturing the image, it would truly just be 'taking pictures' - and it would also merely be a service.   

Photography today is SO much more than taking pictures, and this is why we are entering a new golden age of photography - the age of the Print Artist...

If you haven't met me yet, I'll say it right up front, I'm an 'old school' photographer.  I started decades ago firmly in the age of film.  I'm sure you've heard the phrase 'The magic of photography', well I'm here to tell you that we sure needed some magic sometimes back then!

In fact, the real difference between a professional and an amateur in those days started with just being able to get properly exposed negatives every time. You could spot a professional pretty easily back then by his work - it was well exposed.  (It has never been about the camera, there have always been well-to-do amateurs who owned pro level gear)

Fast forward to the age of digital and this difference has been pretty much obliterated.  Cameras these days are scary good at creating a well exposed image.  Personally, I think this is a great thing, because just getting a good exposure is way way too low of a bar for professionalism!  Not only that, everyone deserves to have their casual snapshots be absolutely beautiful and today's cameras deliver that perfectly.

It is ironic that at the same time the vast majority of people associate photography with images on their phone,  the quality of canvas and archival papers have never been better!

I always enjoy the first time someone visits my studio and see true fine art prints in person.  At first they look and the scale captures their attention, and we talk a bit.  Then they go a bit closer and see the depth and the detail and the way the light is portrayed, and they see another dimension.  Finally I always like to have them touch an unmounted print or canvas.  Believe me, these state of the art materials feel like a million bucks when you can actually appreciate them with your own hands and eyes.  You can truly feel that you are holding something that should be around for a very long time!

Photography as fine art - that is the domain of the professional today.

We must be versed in light, first and foremost...  how to see it, shape it, control its range and its color.  We must also be pseudo IT professionals to fully understand today's cameras, as well as the computers on which we develop our digital negatives. We must be consummate observers of human nature to truly listen to our subjects and show WHO they are, not just how they look. Finally, we must be print artists.  We must be versed in pigments and processes, canvas and papers, not to mention framing for longevity.

Photographic fine art has never been better than it is today - don't settle for anything less when it comes to your family.