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PB: Locations and weather conditions seem to be a crucial aspect to a successful picture.
How do you handle these unpredictable factors?
WL: Part of what I do is weddings, you have no choice but to be flexible and creative. Sometimes
having an undesirable location you have to know how to set up your subjects and light them in aflattering way. This is where knowing your equipment and having an artistic eye comes in.
PB: Color vs. black and white. Why one over the other and is the photographic process
different?
model Nina Jade Napoletano hair and make up by Alayne Curtiss of Make Me Fabulou in the new "Clique" studio. Dress provided by Fancy Schmancy.
WL: I love both. Some images look more dramatic in color but sometimes when i am taking a pictureI know I’m going to edit it in black and white. I feel that black and white has a timeless quality. There really isn’t anything different in the process for me, I would still set up the subject andlighting the same.
PB: What insight and advice can you share with other photographer’s wishing to pursue along term photographic career?
WL: Getting into photography full time a number of years ago, I quickly realized there was so muchmore to this than just taking pictures. Learning the business side of photography is crucial. Educating yourself in pricing, marketing, lighting and sales will help you be profitable so you can be successful. One of the greatest things hurting this industry are the photographer’s out therewho are not charging for their time. They are charging for the piece of paper the image is printed on. This has cheapened the industry and is confusing the consumer. One of the best things I did to advance my career was to find mentor’s who were willing to share their knowledge and expertise.
PB: Can you walk us through the actual process that you use to set up a portrait?
WL: That is not an easy question to answer. I use many different lighting techniques when doingstudio portraits. The subject can be lit for beauty shots or they can be lit for a much moredramatic look. Doing environmental portraits in natural light is something that is completely different from a studio set up. So for me each client is different. Preparation is key.