Models, Photographers, Photoshopers, Actors, and Really Anyone that is Creative!

Just Joined!

Hi, I just joined the Kachoozie network and would love to hear from other members. I am a professional photographer and videographer with over 25 years experience. I create images and videos for a wide range of clients and areas of photography from portraits to events for individuals, families and corporations.

Attachments:

Rgunter.com3033.jpg, 1 MB

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Twyla Price on August 13, 2009 at 9:18pm: Hi, I'm Twyla Price, amature photographer in Okc OK, currently trying to get into Oklahoma School of Photography. Tell me, is the photography really on a downward spiral caused by the drop in economy or do you think newbie photographers have a good chance in the industry.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Robert Gunter on August 14, 2009 at 6:47am: Hi, Twyla
Tough question. I would encourage you to follow your passion of photography. I hope you can get in to the Oklahoma School of photography so you can learn as much technical information as possible before you start your career. I would encourage you to work with other professional photographers that are willing to show you both the photographic and business side of photography. Today it seems I am spending a lot more time doing the business portion of photography by marketing and networking, than I am actually creating images. The market is challenging, but just prepare yourself with good marketing skills and I think you will be able to earn a living doing something you love to do. You may contact me directly at rgunter@nc.rr.com if you wish to discuss this in the future. Good luck to you and keep me informed of your progress.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Twyla Price on August 28, 2009 at 4:22pm: Thank you very much for you encouragement Mr. Grunter! You've inspired me to keep up the struggle and push forward with photography in my future. Thank you.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Brian Leng on August 29, 2009 at 12:55am: Hi Twyla,
This is Brian Leng and I have been in the photography world since the 70's when I graduated from Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara. Just as I was graduating there was gas rationing going on and my future as a photographer looked very grim. It was a horrible time and I thought the same as you. But I hung in there and after about 5 years of scraping by, my photography business was just at it's beginning stage and lasted until 2004 when I decided that I wanted to pass on what I had learned over the years as a freelance commercial photographer in Los Angeles to other young emerging photographers.

I've been teaching part time at Santa Monica College since 1992 when I still had my studio at the time. I thought that I would just teach part time for a few years, but now looking back it has been 17 years teaching part time! Wow where did the time go?

But to get back to you, how do you feel about photography? Is it something that you really enjoy? Do you have a passion for it or is it something that you think you're good at? These are the questions you need to ask yourself because if you really love photography and would die if you couldn't shoot another frame, then go for it! Nothing will stop you except yourself, if you really have a passion for photography. It's not the world that will stop you. Believe in yourself and love what you are doing because there is nothing worst then to be stuck doing something you hate everyday.

Digital photography has really changed the way commercial photographers do assignments. Everything is so much quicker and faster and less expensive then when I learned on film. I can really say that it is an exciting time to be in photography.

Find out what you love about photography, get a good foundation, which is technical knowledge, then go out and assist someone you admire and is doing the type of photography you would like to do. Learn all you can from that person and then move on to another photographer and learn from them the way that they run their photography business. It's not good enough to be just a good photographer, it's also good to be a good business person too.

I hope this helps you in your quest in search of being a photographer.
Good luck and e-mail me from time to time and let me know where you're at in your photography career.
Brian Leng; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Yvonne Connor on August 15, 2009 at 9:25pm: Hi Robert,
I' m Yvonne Connor, I've am amature photographer enrolled in the New York Institute of Photography and Art Institute of Phx. My question to you regarding the videographer side.
Are you wedding videographer or independent films?
If your wedding videographer do you enjoy it ? Is is profitable?
If you do independent films, do you get the final cuts to produce a reel for yourself?

Thanks.

Have a great day.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Robert Gunter on August 28, 2009 at 8:05am: Hi Yvonne,
Sorry it took so long to respond, but I just received email concerning your question. I have many years experience as a videographer and work for many different clients that include NBC, CBS, FOX, Glaxo Smith Kline, Discovery Channel and many others to include wedding production companies. I have done a number of weddings, but do more corporate work and cable channel work than weddings, etc. I think wedding videography is profitable and would encourage you to pursue it. Just be aware that video is a very different animal because it requires both good images and good audio and you must shoot a great deal of footage that must be edited later. You must also shoot video while conssidering editing in your shooting method. In other words you must visualize as best that you can while you are shooting how the piece will be edited. I only work on documentaries and independent videos that are able to pay me for their services. I learned through the years that shooting projects on what is called "spec projects" does not work very well because the producer usually has no plan on how to market their final video. I do volunteer work for the Special Olympics of North Carolina and really enjoy working with them. I encourage you to do some charity work shooting video. The experience will help you learn video and also help the organization. Hope this info was helpful. Have a great day.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Joe Barney on August 27, 2009 at 9:08pm: Hello, I'm quite new and want to only do nature photography though I'm open to events of people in the city such as photowalks, events like concerts, fairs, beer gardens, etc. I only have a Nikon S220 but I don't do too bad. I hope you can critique and comment my photos. I'm still just learning so I know I'll never be perfect even with years of experience. I think it's great you've been in the business for 25 years, and would love to hear your war stories and whatnot. I should check out your photos as well!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tyler Nelson on September 10, 2009 at 8:56am: Hello, I'm Tyler Nelson, Photographer in Columbus Ohio. currently been focusing on nature and animal photography and making money threw portrait, event and senior photography. Ive been doing photography for 4 years now. And I just wanted to stop by and say hi to everyone! =]; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Vanessa Gaudette on March 4, 2010 at 8:44am: Hi Robert! I just joined myself to share some of the great things I see while out walking, hiking or camping here in Montana. I was reading Twyla's comments and the responses to her in that discussion. I have a passion for bringing photos of the outdoors untouched as they are through digital photography. I see a tremendous amount of competition out there, especially for outdoor scenery. How can I differentiate myself from the competition? I don't see any niche's to fill.
Thanks!
Vanessa; ▶ Reply to This