Hosted by Michael J. Molinski
host@ThePhotographerSuccessStory.com
http://www.ThePhotographerSuccessStory.com
Interviewed: Dexter Davisx
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Today’s Sponsor: none
I need to focus on getting you content, not sponsors!
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Grew up as an artist, interested in comic books, thought he was going to be an artist.
Laguardia High School, Manhattan
Attend college in 1994 for art & graphic design, City Tech - Brooklyn
Advertising design.
Forced into photography at college, had to buy a camera, Pentax K1000
Buy own film, Tri-x 400
Processing in Darkroom
The importance of making each shot with film, working on a budget
After college, a friend was a wedding photographer. Picked her brain, but never second shot for her or anyone, ever. Contrary to what the school taught, she freed him the dependency of the use of a tripod.
How do you find your first wedding?
The search goes on and finds a friend who wasn’t considering even having a photographer.
That feeling of getting paid to be a photographer, now it feels like a business.
Begging for weddings to get people to take a chance that the work is good enough.
First business card from a kiosk back in the late 90’s
Almost a decade later with shooting weddings on the side, a job opportunity and romantic interest have Dexter moving to an area where he knows no one. It wasn’t too far where the transition was cut and dry. Still shooting in the NYC area while trying to build a client list in his new home in Albany.
Networking with other vendors, getting on social media, changing website in 2004, doing everything possible to break into the new market.
Late comer into shooting digital, “that guy who said its not as good as film” Everything started changing and the writing was on the wall to go digital.
“I’ll meet you in the comfort of your own home” as a way to get more clients, leading to some interesting scenarios in the days before GPS.
By 2006-7 a shared workplace was rented out with a videographer. One step closer to getting a studio. Bret Wasserman, owner of Silhouette Art on Video
http://www.artonvideo.com/information.html
The feeling of wanting a “space of my own” is the driving force to get a 2,000 sq ft studio and office space. Hang up photos and showcase the best work.
Getting promoted in his main job, promised to move back to NYC with an office, then everything is just gone! Losing a job in the housing mortgage industry, gave time build up the photography business more and it worked.
With nothing else to lose, he stopped job searching and went all in to be a photographer.
Couldn’t realize his full potential as a photographer doing it only part time.
The benefits of picking up an editor at the beginning stages of growing the business, transitioning into a better work flow. Getting out of Adobe Bridge and Photoshop. 45 minutes.
Night and Day difference transitioning into Lightroom.
In 2011 getting a new office space and shooting area. Adding to the square footage by cleaning out the back room and turning it into the photo spot.
What the added pressures are for photographers who employ editors and studio managers.
The fail story, bad lighting, film errors, nothing to save.
Flash sync errors, before digital cameras just wouldn’t allow you to take a photo with it.
The curtain would drag across the film plane with the flash only exposing a portion of the image.
Canon 5DmkII 1/160th of a second shutter lag example.
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2010/01/know-your-sync.html
Shooting the camera upsidedown so the shutter lag made the sky darker. There’s a reference to this in the link above as well.
Favorite thing to shoot, couples.
Least favorite thing to shoot, babies
Thankful to be able to make a living doing something really fulfilling and enjoyable.
Of over 150,000 people surveyed only 30 percent admitted they honestly enjoy their job and their bosses. Those who show up but are less than thrilled about it — or “disengaged — made up the biggest category at 52 percent of workers. The remaining 18 percent are people actively disengaged — those who vocally express their discontent in the workplace.
http://www.ryot.org/gallup-poll-70-americans-disengaged-jobs/376177
Gear talk:
Pentax in the film days then Canon Rebel 2000, then Canon 20D
PC editing preference, learned on a Mac.
Doesn’t see the advantage of going to Mac after gaining all the experience on a PC
Lenses are the favorite or all gear, 70-200 2.8 is the go to lens for most shoots.
Wants to get the 100mm 2.8 Macro
2014 the year of breaking gear, lots of use with Canon CPS
Recommend for interviews (which was conducted before the show went live):
Jeff Foley
Michael Gallitelli,
Dino Petrocelli,
http://dinopetrocelliphoto.com/about-me/
Doug Gordon (NOT WITHOUT CONTROVERSY)
http://www.douggordonworkshops.com
Should The Photography Industry Turn Its Back on Doug Gordon?
https://fstoppers.com/originals/should-photography-industry-turn-its-back-doug-gordon-13474
Last piece of advice: Try to be different. Push things farther and do things you don’t see other photographers doing and don’t let anyone tell you you can’t. Don’t be afraid to fail.
Failure is not fatal. The worst thing in the world is to not try.
Hosted by Michael J. Molinski
host@ThePhotographerSuccessStory.com
http://www.ThePhotographerSuccessStory.com
Interviewed: Diane Stredicke
Hudson River Photographer
http://www.HudsonRiverPhotographer.com
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Today’s Sponsor: Zenfolio
Get your free trial today: http://www.zenfolio.com/zf/transfer/s/zf/signup/trial.aspx
Referral Code: 95C-HAQ-MT7
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Chelsea Clinton’s wedding in Rhinbeck, NY
Brooklyn, NY
Hudson River Creative LLC
Washington State University
Grew up outside of Seattle
Moved to NYC and attended NYU
Brandsmasher top 100 Wedding Photographers in the US
http://brandsmasher.com/100-best-wedding-photographers-in-the-us-by-photographers-brandsmash/
Second shot for Sarah Smith, Albany photographer
http://sarahsmithphotography.com
Molinski Photography, aka Photographics Solution sample video of us explaining wedding albums.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LqFM-YAMG0
Liberty Warehouse Weddings
http://www.thelibertywarehouse.com
Tatiana Breslow
We discuss the least favorite part about the wedding day and turn that into an opportunity to learn how to shot that subject better.
Triathlete Magazine shoot, same approach as a wedding portrait. See the example at http://www.rhinebeckphotographer.com
Setting goals after the wedding season, for example update website or learning a new skill like off camera lighting.
Favorite thing to shoot is the portrait session after the ceremony.
Talk about the emotions behind a first look session versus post ceremony
All about cocktail hour and diving that time up between shooting and actually taking a break
Networking with other photographers and deciding to be an open book to help out each other is the healthiest way to look at this business. They’re not competition, but colleagues.
How we crossed paths for the first time at Hunter Mountain. This time I was doing video while Diane shot stills.
Selling all Canon gear and switching to Nikon!
Playing around with Nikon at Mystic Seminars.
Ergonomics plays a big role
Here’s a list of a bunch of gear we talked about, all are affiliate links to our Amazon account so if you want to support the show, buy your gear after clicking through our stuff :)
Nikon DF
Nikon D750
Ona Prince Street Bag
Godox Flash
Neewer Cheetah Lithium Battery Pack
MacBook Pro with Thunderbolt display
Photo Mechanic
Lightroom
Presets VSEO
Kirk Masten, Masten Labs Film Packs
What it’s like to outsource editing to other companies
The Editing Salon (maybe the Image Salon?)
Queensbury Albums
Workshops with other photographers
Melissa Surprise Photography - Baby & Child Photographer
http://surprisephotography.com
Jeff Mosier - Actor / Headshot Photographer, NYC
http://jeffreymosierphotography.com
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Today’s Sponsor: Zenfolio
Get your free trial today: http://www.zenfolio.com/zf/transfer/s/zf/signup/trial.aspx
Referral Code: 95C-HAQ-MT7
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Hosted by Michael J. Molinski
host@ThePhotographerSuccessStory.com
http://www.ThePhotographerSuccessStory.com
Interviewed: Jeff Foley
Mechanicville, NY
From taking photos on vacation to photojournalism at the local paper
First decade in his professional career as a writer
Hudson Valley Community College to get the foundations of photography
Joe McNally workshops
http://portfolio.joemcnally.com
Being a wedding photographer is a lot of pressure and how it involves many aspects of photography, the landscape, fashion, still life, portrait photographer.
Newsday, ESPN, Ring Magazine, USA Today, The Associate Press
The first wedding, overwhelmed, too high of expectations complete with a micro breakdown in the solitude of his car.
Heather Bohm-Tallman, Saratoga Second Shooter, gaining more experience.
Didn’t get into photography for the money, got into it to make pictures
Niki Rossi Photographer, giving critique and humbling the photographer
Removing the emotion and story behind the photographer and let the work speak for itself.
If you have to explain it, the photo might not be as strong as you think it is
First paid writing experience as opposed to photo gig.
Terry Rooney, Shoes for Africa, first story, hudson mohawk runners club
http://www.hmrrc.com/index.cfm?method=Main.Home
You have to be know your gear, you have to be really good with people, and you have to know how to run a business, better be able to market, and get a little lucky.
Making the transition back to shooting weddings solo and then getting laid off from his full time job and the importance of networking
Reaching out to wedding venues to get them to talk about you, specifically being in the right place at the right time with the Franklin Plaza and shooting their newly renovated 3rd floor.
The mental alertness it takes to work a wedding. It’s not only taking photos and running around.
Building your photography business book
Best business practices for photographers
Digital wedding photographer
The pomodoro method.
You have to be all in to make a living as a photographer, it won’t happen by accident.
The importance of finding your price, irrelevant to what other photographers are charging
Mazzone Hospitality
Is pinterest the bane of a wedding photographer’s existence?
Newborn photography could be the most difficult niche out there
Fundy Album software
http://www.fundysoftware.com/album-builder-2/
Learn your camera, don’t worry about everything else. It just takes time.
Who would be on the next episode:
Katherine Wright Art Center Troy
Joe McNally
http://portfolio.joemcnally.com
Howard Schatz, sports illustrated
Hosted by Michael J. Molinski
host@ThePhotographerSuccessStory.com
http://www.ThePhotographerSuccessStory.com
Interviewed: Rebecca & Jesse Turnquist
We pick up with talking about marketing and transition into the sale pitch that we all give.
I also disclose that my parent’s didn’t have a good experience with wedding photography and I will never see their photos because they were destroyed in the lab during development.
What’s it like to book a client that’s not a good fit just for the money?
“Everybody deserves to be happy” - Jesse
But the customer is not always right.
The most difficult things to shoot for Rebecca & Jesse
Corporate and newborns, where the one has a weakness, the other can step up. It’s what makes a great team.
Thoughts on the married photography team. Getting emotionally invested in the day.
How do you create a style that you’re known for and yet deliver a unique product every time?
David Beckstead Workshops
http://www.davidbeckstead.net/Pages/Workshops/24115585_9QChwn
Favorite software - Fundy Album Designer
http://www.fundysoftware.com/album-builder-2/
More Adobe Lightroom talk
www.Adobe.com
MagMod Kickstarter
http://magnetmod.com
Off camera flash speed light modifier with neoprene sleeve
Jesse’s personal challenge to master off camera lighting.
Robert Norman photographer
Justin & Mary
http://www.justinmarantz.com/index.cfm?catID=29
Pictage Users Group PUG
http://pro.pictage.com/pug/Hartford_CT.html
Inspire Workshop
Being grateful for each other and enjoying the path they’ve taken together.
Learn from other photographers, don’t be afraid to network and see them as allies.
Hosted by Michael J. Molinski
host@ThePhotographerSuccessStory.com
http://www.ThePhotographerSuccessStory.com
Interviewed: Rebecca & Jesse Turnquist
We talk about photography in high school in the early 90’s and film, how they met, and then get into turning photography from hobby to business.
Jesse used to use a Minolta Maxum
I started with a Canon AE-1 Program
The site first launched in 2008 and I bring up a website that shows you old versions of websites
Enter The Wayback Machine! http://archive.org/web/
http://turnquistphotography.com
Just when they thought their original site was gone forever, I was able to go back to at least 2011, see for yourself, and if you really want to see some awful Flash animation, check out my original size I designed from scratch in 2005. http://www.PhotographicsSolution.com
We also touch on using Craigslist to get the first paid wedding and what it’s like to bounce from job to job until finding a calling as a photographer. What it’s like to work a bunch of side jobs to support a family while growing the business. Realizing the photography is the passion and taking the right steps to make it a profitable business.
DABA, local restaurant in Hudson, NY
Kingston, NY
Yonkers, NY
Defining style and growing as a photographer, how the photo looks
“The City” is New York City
Frederick Church, Hudson River School of Art
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson_River_School
What its like to have a second shoot and work for other photographers.
Merging styles and adapting your point of view when working for another photographer.
The importance of workshops and learning more skills
Creative Live
Carla Ten Eyck, Connecticut
http://www.carlateneyck.com/workshops/
The passion behind your purpose, which is to be a photographer
Talk of expanding families and keeping the business going
Video of Danielle getting the news of a baby boy
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10154882912920198&l=1534519278443181883
Use of social media, booked a wedding from instagram and using hashtags
Younger demographic avoiding advertising, popup blockers
End part one :)
Hosted by Michael J. Molinski
host@ThePhotographerSuccessStory.com
http://www.ThePhotographerSuccessStory.com
Interviewed: Tiffany Wayne
Today we take you on Tiffany’s path all around the US with one goal in mind; to be a professional photographer.
Below are links to topics brought up throughout the show:
Clifton Park, NY
Shenendehowa High School
Photography and art classes
#ThrowbackThursday photos from her childhood now on Instagram @TIffanyWayne
Hudson Valley Community College
SUNY Cortland (State University of NY)
Then to a law firm and back to former teacher for help to get out of that job.
Hallmark Institute of Photography
Greg Heisler
Photo editor at Woman’s World Magazine
Moved out to LA for more work, but not as a photographer, then back to NY
Ran out of film on her first wedding
Saratoga Hall of Springs
Showed up extra early at a wedding, guess what happened
PPA
WPPI
Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce
http://www.saratogachamber.org
Rebecca Ashby, The Pink Orange
We talk business card fails,
Use of hashtags at weddings,
Social media etiquette,
Biggest fear is becoming comfortable, keep yourself on edge
What its like to have an intern
Tiffany’s awesome rap video from May 2011:
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=2001276506850&set=vb.353195487426&type=3&theater
Her new book: Photograph Couples: How to Create Romantic Wedding and Engagement Portraits
Talk about Facebook changes
Ugly sweater contest
The Old Daley Inn
http://www.olddaleyinn.com/weddings/crooked-lake-house/
Photo Plus Expo NYC
Pop Photo Poses app - Lindsay Adler
Going over the client experience
Talk about new house, taxes, health care, vegan diet, gassy refrigerator
Eating at wedding
Gear talk
The process of individual learning
Mamiya medium format camera
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamiya
Deardorff 8x10
http://www.deardorffcameras.com
Fashion Institute of Technology
shooting time / editing time
Shoot Q - studio management system
Holding yourself accountable
Borrow Lenses
Canon CPS
Recommend on the podcast - Andrew Franciosa
Patty Lynn Benjamin
The tac house (not quite sure on this, will update with info from Tiffany)
"If you get told no, just get back up and keep going"
That about does it for the note and links, until next time!
Hosted by Michael J. Molinski
host@ThePhotographerSuccessStory.com
http://www.ThePhotographerSuccessStory.com
Interviewed: JP Elario
http://www.ElarioPhotography.com
Today we go through JP’s journey from being born with a camera in hand to being one of the top photographers in the nation!
Below are links to topics brought up throughout the show:
Sage College
Savannah College of Art & Design
Polaroid SX70
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polaroid_SX-70
Saratoga, NY
Albany, NY
Hasselblad
Letter to Sherman from Atlanta, pleading not to burn the city.
http://history.furman.edu/benson/docs/atlanta1.htm
Here’s an email I sent to JP after seeing an ad for MPix in Popular Photography magazine
Michael Molinski 6/20/09
To: jp@joeelariophotography.com
Hey Jp,
I saw your MPix ad in Pop Photo and the fact you're from upstate.
I just want to say you do amazing work and its great to see awesome
representation nationwide. I am a photographer myself working out of Hudson.
The caliber of your shots make me want to step my game up tremendously.
Happy shooting.
Michael J. Molinski
I cannot find his response, thought I do remember getting one!
We met in person at the WPPI Road Trip in Boston.
(Side note, we won free admission from Zenfolio after a caption contest. We need to talk about this on the followup episode)
http://www.wppionline.com/on-the-road.shtml
MPix Pro
MPix Rocks
http://elariophotography.com/press-release-millers-mpix/
Drop It Modern
Here’s the video JP created for his clients and picked up my Drop it Modern
Matt Ramos, awesome photographer, can we get him on the show? Find him and tell him so!
http://www.mattramosphotography.com
Guest blog entry featuring JP on Scott Kelby’s site
http://scottkelby.com/2010/its-guest-blog-wednesday-featuring-jp-elario/
Matt Kloskowski - The Photoshop Guy
Manfrotto Magic Arm kit (affiliate link to Amazon)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000J4FONU/
Chase Jarvis video with magic arm
Angela’s Bridal shoot by JP
http://elariophotography.com/fun-snow-angelas-bridal/
Lightroom
Profit B1 Kit (affiliate link to Amazon)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KB688EI
Thanks for checking out today’s episode and like I said in the beginning of the show, there’s a ton of info here!
Hosted by Michael J. Molinski
host@ThePhotographerSuccessStory.com
http://www.ThePhotographerSuccessStory.com
Interviewed: Linda Conley
From her start as working for a photo lab to moving around the country with odd jobs and back to working for photo labs and transitioning to assisting for wedding photographers into becoming a full time professional photographer.
Hudson Valley Community College
Adirondack Community College
Her pets Rigby the dog/mascot running around the area making noise.
Also an appearance by Ginney, the new puppy.
Assisted photographers:
Jeanne Hederson
http://livingproofphotography.zenfolio.com
Sandy Conlin (retired)
Dino Petricelli
http://dinopetrocelliphoto.com
How Linda and I met and worked together.
Talking RAW and JPG
Adobe Lightroom
Plugin favorite: Totally Rad (Affiliate link below)
http://www.gettotallyrad.com/products/?id=1649
Thoughts on social media and use of our photos.
The transition from film to digital
I share my trick into getting more photos published WITHOUT having to paying for advertising and how we got the word out for free all over our physical area.
Hosted by Michael J. Molinski
host@ThePhotographerSuccessStory.com
http://www.ThePhotographerSuccessStory.com
Interviewed: Nicole Molinski and myself
Currently own and operate Photographics Solution, Hudson NY
http://www.PhotographicsSolution.com
In this episode we discuss our backgrounds, the story of how we met, and the start of our business.
USMC United States Marine Corps Photographer
DINFOS The Defense Information School, Fort Meade, MD
WRGB Channel 6 News, Albany, NY
Intern New York Network
Canon 20D - First owned DSLR
Nitin Vadukul, Michael’s first mentor
Warren Street, Hudson New York
Columbia Greene Community College
SUNY Albany
Columbia County Chamber of Commerce
https://www.columbiachamber-ny.com
Adobe Photoshop & Lightroom
Hosted by Michael J. Molinski
host@ThePhotographerSuccessStory.com
http://www.ThePhotographerSuccessStory.com
Interviewed: Myself
What is the Photographer Success Story?
If you’re a a photographer making a living in this industry, than I consider you a success.
Currently focusing on the wedding and portrait industry in the Capital Region and Hudson Valley. The photographers I interview are all living and working overlapping work areas. The idea of this is to prove that even an in a saturated market, there’s still room for those to succeed who have a passion for what they do and hard work ethic.
I’ll cover the background of the interviewee going over the likes of interest in the arts, high school, college, and all that and then transition into the hobby/career side of things.
We really need to understand what that first paid gig is all about. So I’ll provoke that emotion when that money finally comes in from the first sale. I explain the feeling of my first paid portrait session.
You’ll then hear some of the basics of running the business; some of the struggles growing the business, home studio or commercial space, subcontractors and employees vs doing everything solo. Learning from failure helps a lot of people so I’ll be trying to squeeze out a story from when things all went wrong. It’s happened to me and to everyone who’s ever taken a chance, so don’t worry when it happens to you.
This isn’t a tech podcast, but we live in a technological society, so I will tackle a few gear based questions towards the end.
Lastly, I always like to finish off the episode with a tip from these pros that will help the up and coming photographer, followed by a couple name drops of who should be on the show next.
The second half of the show is a little bio of what I’m about and some history into what I’m up to; My time in the US Marines, a blog on the side that has nothing to do with photography, family life with raising a daughter and having a baby on the way. I also touch on my local Chamber of Commerce and me sitting as the chairman of the steering committee of the Young Professionals division.
Youth Employment Service (YES Program) is a state funded program for at risk youth populations where high school students get placed with mentors and local businesses to get real life experience and proper guidance.
My personal mentors through podcasting:
Rich Roll - Ultra Endurance Athlete and Vegan
Lewis Howes - The School of Greatness
Pat Flynn
John Lee Dumas -Entrepreneur on Fire
The half-ironman triathlon that I competed in 70.3 miles, 5hr :35min in 2013
My first time being interviewed for a podcast, where I thought I completely bombed it, but further sparked my interest in the medium.
http://www.highspeedlowdrag.org/michael-molinski/
Feel free to comment below and let me know your thoughts on this project and even throw out some names of photographers you’d like to hear from. Is there someone who’s just killin’ it and you want to know how they go there?! You put it out there, and I’ll do some homework… Surprisingly enough, not everyone I’ve reached out to wants to be interviewed. But in order for this show to reach the full spectrum, I will need some introverts to come out of their shell. If that’s you, and you past my “criteria” to be on the show, step a little out of your comfort zone and email me to be on the show!