i had an aspiring photographer ask for some insight on how to create a dynamic portfolio/catalog of lifestyle images.  so here are some tips on producing your own portfolio...

1.  always have your camera on you...and use it.  look for senarios, opportunities that are real and authentic.  sometimes you can not produce  scenarios that are as real as the real thing

2.  shoot what you can, where you can.  the lifestyle around you might be different that what is in my own backyard.  learn to look at what is around you with new eyes.  sometimes the mundane to you is really cool to others.  embrace it.

3.  carry a sample of your work around all the time...makes it a bit easier to get your foot in the door under some circumstances.  i use a iphoto book for my most recent stuff and an asuka book for the nicer demos.  iphoto books are perfect cause they are cheap, small and lightweight.

4.  learn how to blend in and be a part of the culture...or be sincere and express interest.  people love to talk about what they are doing.  like asking me about photography ;-)

5.  offer your subjects or models a print or digital image.  get them on board to get great images.

6.  learn not to be shy with the camera.  its ok if people say no, dont let it toss you, get back shooting.  it's what you do.

7.  learn to be subtle and aggressive at the same time ;-)

8.  know who your market is and then create images you like.  dont worry to much if it is the market your shooting for...  make it personally fulfilling and fun.  if you rshoot what you like, the enthusiasm will show.

here is a shot of zack.  i was driving down the 101 on my way home and saw about 20 kids skating.  got a bunch of great shot and now zack gets a cool shot.

i probably shoot more lifestyle/portrait work than i do action/sports but with the clients i have there is a fine line from one to the other.  so here are some surf shooting tips:

~ i like wearing a wetsuit for the float factor, 4 hours in the water can get tiring and trying to hold up out of the water a camera housing with a a1ds m2 is like holding a brick over your head while you tread water...oh, and try to take pictures

~ always wear a helmet, you can get one here: http://www.gathsports.com/

~ get a great housing, here are few to check out:
http://www.delmarprojects.com/
http://www.aquatech.com.au/
http://www.splwaterhousings.com/

~ manual exposure, center focus, al servo works best for me

~ at least 12 gig cards, for me that is about 800 images, less time trading cards

~ understand the wave as much as possible and sense where you should be

~ shoot a lot!

~ never eat a large breakfast before swimming out to shoot, trust me.

was flipping though the recent issue of PDN and happen to see my image used for the IPN Stock Agency campaign advert, see below.  kinda funny because i never really understood the images that IPN selected as featured advert images.  there really never seems to be a connection to the message...but i am glad that they featured mine.  but the question is...does it actually mean that you as a photographer will see more stock sales from the features?  I doubt it but it certainly can not hurt.

a few more features below the IPN feature, including aurora's outdoor photographer feature and images used in jupiter's web site. 

long time PDN reader, PHOTOSERVE photog, IPN stock contributor and first time PDN PHOTOPLUS attendee...maybe, finally.  really thinking of heading to new york this year, for the first time.  in recent years, i was always booked up on shoots during the event dates and this year, being close enough to the dates, i can actually leave them open if i decide to attend.  the conferences that looked most appealing to me are:

october 23
the art of the portrait ~ platon
world class stock ~ tyler stableford
real faces, commercial impact ~ paul foster and amy steigbigel

october 24
motion stock for still photographers ~ panel
how to get work from ad agencies ~ debra weiss
staying successful in stock ~ panel
survival tactics in stock ~ jack hollingsworth

october 25
why shoot stock ~ panel
stock photography and the consumer ~ dan heller
lighting for commercial production ~ f scott shafer
how to break into lifestyle/travel photography ~ panel


if your heading to photoplus, let me know, maybe we can swap notes and say hi.  or if you have seen any of the above talks and care to share insight, please do! 

www.photoplusexpo.com

Where are you based?

My studio is located in what is referred to as Artist Alley in Oceanside, California. Oceanside is a beach town on the verge of rejuvenation and rebirth. This studio is the base for my production and shooting. However, I am involved in location photography whether that takes me one block to the beach or several miles to the streets of Mexico, or, for that matter, to any location that offers interest.


Is that right, that you worked in a cubicle before becoming a photographer? What was your occupation?

I have worked in the marketing department of a few software and internet companies in San Diego. Marketing provided me with the ability to appreciate the importance of design and layout but to also realize that I did not want to limit my ability to a 6 by 6 foot space.


When did you realize that you could make a living shooting pictures?

I have always had an interest in photography, a passion that was encouraged by my grandfather who was an avid photographer. Then my wife gave me a new camera for my 30th birthday. I was looking for a different way to make a living and was willing to do what I had to to turn this passion into a profession. My wife had just given birth to our first son, and I called in my two- week notice at the software company that day. I just knew there had to be a better way to support my family...or I should say, better for me.


Was there a photographer that inspired or influenced you?

While there isn't one specific photographer that influenced me, I have always been drawn to the California lifestyle that I have seen depicted through photography. But I think what has become more of an inspiration is the ability and opportunity to reproduce the sense of that lifestyle through visual images.


What type or what style of photography do you shoot?

I predominately shoot lifestyle imagery for catalog, stock, commercial and individual clientèle.




What type of equipment do you use?

I mainly shoot with Canon Digital equipment (1ds m 2), However, I occasionally dust off my 67 film equipment and have even been known to use my Holga on certain shoots.


What's the worst thing that has happened to you during a shoot?

I locked the car keys in the rental car with my equipment. I now keep two sets of keys in two different places.


Is your site flash or HTML?

My site is designed using flash. A few years ago I was looking to create a new website and fortunately I was shooting for a client (Theta Interactive), a talented and innovative group of designers. From then on we have worked in tandem to created ITDR (www.intothedarkroom.com) developing innovative products for photographers including web sites, photo-proofing, slide shows, blogs, with.more to come. All the ITDR site are search engine optimized.


Do you have a rep or agent?

I am currently signed with Select, an assignment division of Aurora Photos based in New York City. It is a non-exclusive relationship, and I am keeping my options open.


Where have you been recently?

My recent assignments have keep me local lately; however, I have had a few shoots that have taken me all over Mexico and to Mammoth on recent assignments.


Do you ever just shoot for fun?

Absolutely! Every shoot is fun and even the ones I take for personal reasons have the potential to become great stock images


Do you deal with any stock agencies?

I deal with two agencies. My first agency is Aurora Photos. My images placed at Aurora also have distribution channels through Getty Creative and Corbis. I recently have been contributing to Jupiter Images via Workbook.


Do you feel like you're being treated fairly by your agency?

I am very pleased with my relationship with Aurora. The time and attention Aurora gives its photographers is really impressive. My relationship with Jupiter is still in the initial stages. I think any photographer certainly will get more attention the more that person contributes. .


What do you think will be the next big trend in the photo industry?

I look for more multimedia, stop motion, photo video, voice over and rich media for both narrative, news, and commercial application and distribution. I am trying to combine HD and photography as much as I can to prepare.


Do you use a resource site or publication?

I am continually reviewing websites, magazines and publications.


What are you working on next?

I am constantly working on projects...go to the ephotos site to complete the interview:
www.ephotos.com

very proud to announce that i have been invited to participate in aurora photos celebrating 15 years of creating images.  aurora is one of the best boutique stock agencies specializing in action, adventure, travel, sports, lifestyle, people, portraits and having a special niche in editorial and photojournalism. 

the action:reaction concept is creative and I think really will show off the talent of this organization.  i am excited to be a part of the creativity.

www.aurora15.com

hanging out on comm arts web site this weekend, yeah, thats how i spend my weekends.... and was checking out the web pick of the day and just wanted to share.  i have a thing for jamaica and i really found this collaboration inspiring and well produced. 

Live Hope Love Poet Kwame Dawes writes of the plight of Jamaicans with HIV/AIDS in this lyric presentation—commissioned by the Pulitzer Center—of music, documentary photography and video interviews.

so, i am much better behind the camera than i am in front of the camera.  but nate was nice enough to work with me again.  i say again, because we were shooting today and laughed that it  was about 6 years  since he shot my last formal portrait.

thanks nate, i will call you in about 6 years!

hi everyone, just a shout out to the ITDR team.  they are kicking but out there in tempe, az and wanted to share the new site with you all... if your not familiar with ITDR, they create some of the nicest flash applications for photographers including SlideShareMAX, PhotoProofMAX, Flash Blogs, and insane web sites... and more to come!  check them out....

http://www.intothedarkroom.com


ITDR started with a long list of things i wanted and needed as a photographer.  Theta Interactive was a commercial client of mine that turned into a thriving business relationship.  The family of products has evolved nice and will continue to evolve as fast as I can get Anthony to approve products and Michael to develop them at all hours of the night!

I also have to say thanks to Meghan, Ann Marie, Brad, Kitty and Claudia who all make it happen on the back-end and customer service side.  Thanks guys!!

With the ITDR blogs taking off like mad, my existing blog,  the one your reading right now, was just released as a template...so if your interested, give them a call!  thanks!

hi all,  came out to meet with david and amanda of select, my assignment reps and a new york test session with jackie of ford/jetset, more on that later... here are some new york city snapshots, and one to show: