Business name: The Associates Studio & Gallery
City & State: Overland Park, KS
Website: www.associatesphoto.com
Ok, so on to the good stuff!!
What’s in your camera bag right now?
Fuji S2, 2 Fuji S3’s
Camera manuals
70-200/2.8, 28-105/2.8 50mm 1.4
3-Sunpak 5000AF, Lumedyne Battery System
Sunpak manuals
2 Cable releases
Quantom Wireless System
Additional camera batteries, flash batteries, meter batteries, Lumedyne batteries
Gaffers tape, wire ties, plastic ties, clips, safety pins, wire cutters
20+ GB CF Cards
Lexar Media Reader
Dell Laptop.
Do you have a favorite subject to shoot?
People in general however children are my favorite.
When you are processing your images, do you use actions?
My officer does almost all my image processing. She will use several actions from any different sources however we prefer a more natural image than one overdone by actions.
If so, what are your favorite ones, give us about 4 or 5 of them, that you use mostly?
Just a few, New Curve Vignette / Duplicate & Rotate / The Move / Katie Arndt Spot Color
What would be the perfect photo op for you?
A no pressure shoot that I do for just myself without any pre-conceived ideas
Don, who or what, inspires you?
I love the challenge of something new. Trying to figure out how to do something that I have never done then be able to go out and do it correctly.
It may be hard for some to believe but I also get inspired by assisting others.
What is one thing you really want to capture with your camera that you haven’t already?
I love lights and lighting. I have not had time to make it downtown with one of our new areas so I can photograph using the natural neon and other lights, something different, something strange and something fun.
Qualifications/Training in Photography?
When I was with the Leavenworth County Sheriff Department I was the one assigned to do all major case photography, including drowning, deaths, arsons, traffic accidents, break ins, robberies and even autopsies.
I got my formal wedding and portrait training from a wonderful photographer. He took me under his wing. I was taught get it right in the camera first, then take the picture. No necessity of having much corrective artwork if it was done right from the start. Love ya Paul….
Since I got my start back in film days I couldn’t count how many hundreds of rolls of medium format film I have gone thru.
Can you describe your photography, in 2 words?
Relaxed and casual.
As you know, many of the photographers on ProPs are new to the ballgame, what advice would you give them to help put them on the road to success?
Learn everything you can, know your equipment inside and out, when you think you know it check again, there is always something new to learn about the equipment you are using. Review all your images, see just how you could have made it better, see if you missed something that you should have seen but didn’t.
Don’t try and fake it. If they are asking for something you have not done be honest with them, it will be appreciated much more by your client by being honest rather than trying to fake your way thru it and take the chance of the client not being satisfied with the product they expected. If you don’t have the equipment to do it properly get with someone who would be willing to assist you. NEVER GIVE EXCUSES, clients are not interested in hearing why you didn’t do the job they expected.
Always, always, always have backup equipment. At the first sign of a problem grab the backup and continue. I prefer my backup equipment to be the exact same thing as my primary, in case something happens I can switch and not miss a beat. I have a saying, If you can’t afford backup equipment then you can’t afford to be in business.
Once you have determined you want to go in business make sure you do it legally. Make sure you have liability insurance, you more than likely will never need it however if you did and didn’t have it you would ruin you financially.
Initial calls with clients should always be handled by a personal call. From that moment you can build a stronger relationship with your client than you can from one of those impersonal e mail messages. Make sure your thoughts and your clients are all on the same level. I am not a believer of bad clients but of ill informed clients.
Speaking of favorites, would you share with us some of your favorite images?
Hey Don, just a few ‘non’ photography questions!!
What’s your fave TV show?
I always have the History Channel on, surprised what you learn. Oh yea and Dog the Bounty Hunter too.
What music are you listening to these days?
Opps, I don’t listen to any current music, I prefer the Oldies, you know, the ones that were before all your times.
Do you have spare time for yourself? If so, what do you like to do outside of Photography??
I am also a Scuba Instructor and love to work in my back yard keeping up the lawn, landscape, even clean the pool. I am also the care giver to my elderly father, the time I get to spend with him will be treasured for a lifetime.
Don just wanted to thank you again for taking time out of your busy schedule to come and share what you do and how you do it with us!
We appreciate it and are looking forward to having you!!
Come visit Peter and pick his brain!! In The Spotlight with Don Farquhar
