cool male senior portrait for welder with mask and fire — Senior | Spokane Valley, WA | © www.tamipics.com

Should I?

Couple hugging — Beautiful Couple Portrait | Spokane Valley, WA | © www.tamipics.com

In 2009, I started photographing Northwest families professionally. I had been behind a camera for years although I had never charged anyone for my work. At this point I was experienced photographing friends, family, and even a few weddings. However, taking photographs for free was a whole different ball game than shooting for money. Before I got started, I wanted to do a test run.

The Eye Opening Experience

It was wedding season in the Valley and I answered an ad for a second shooter at a wedding in Spokane Valley. I took the job very seriously. I tried to think like the bride. What would she want? After the cake was eaten, the favors handed out, and years from now, what did this bride want to see? Photographs would be the only thing left of that day. The photographer, who I will call Bob, was well known. He had a business in the area for over 20 years. This was the perfect opportunity to learn from someone with experience while under no real pressure myself. The excitement of a new adventure was mounting as the day approached. I had no idea what an eye opening experience it would be and how it would change the next twelve years of my life.

Family in front of large rock in Spokane at sunset — Family at Sunset on the Spokane River | © www.tamipics.com

The Bob in the Situation

Bob set me loose with the instructions to photograph anything and everything. Alternatively, he began his day by cracking open a bottle of champagne he snagged from the reception hall. While filling a champagne flute, he noticed the look of terror on my face. He continued by photographing the glass lamely adding, “Never photograph an empty glass.” He continued by grabbing a handful of the bride’s favors, jordan almonds, filling his mouth and his pockets and completing the offense by washing them down with the champagne. I was astonished. It felt like theft for me. He shrugged if off and grabbed his camera. We were photographing all of your typical things including the bride and groom getting ready. When it came time for the portraits, we were arranging the family members into position when the bride announced to Bob that her mother was remarried. She made it clear that she did not want to stand next to her mother’s new husband in any of the photographs. Within minutes, Bob was shouting and pointing to the step father, “Dad, dad, move in closer.” The bride retorted, “He is not my dad.” Bob continued to refer to the man as “Dad” and the bride continued to correct him. I was beside myself. By the end of the wedding, I had made a decision. If Bob was the best that Spokane Valley had to offer than whatever I did would be a huge improvement. I was proud of the quality of photographs that I took that day. I handed them over to Bob without reservation. I learned a valuable lesson that day Spokane Valley, needed a more conscientious professional photographer who would listen to clients. If you are wondering why I didn’t include any photographs from that wedding it’s because I don’t want him identified and more importantly, the copyright for those photographs belong to him. Sometime after that, Bob thankfully retired from photography. I went on to second shoot several more weddings with local photographers.

Portrait of baby wearing red polka dot dress on white background — Children’s Portrait by © www.tamipics.com

On My Own

Shortly after that, I started out on my own. I was terrified every time I took a family out on a photography session. REALLY, terrified (sweaty palms and heart palpitations- level terrified). I knew photography and how to operate the camera. I even had a pretty good eye. It wasn’t skill that I needed, it was confidence. Would I have enough top quality images to offer my clients choices? To ensure that I could deliver my promises, I would spend almost 2 hours with every family, taking an average of 400-600 images. When I looked at the images, I asked myself one question, “Would I be happy with these if this was my family?” I would leave every session spent and stressed until I got home and reviewed the results. It was a tough year. I continued working with other professional photographers for weddings to gain more experience because I felt that I owed it to my clients. It wasn’t too long before I got the swing of things!

family of four, parents and two little girls in fall leaves — Family in fall leaves in Spokane Valley, WA | © www.tamipics.com

Senior Girl at Liberty Lake, WA — Gorgeous Senior Portraits @ Liberty Lake, WA | © www.tamipics.com

Loyalty & Trust

Twelve years later, I’ve had the pleasure of photographing countless sessions with families from the Spokane/ CDA area. I have many loyal customers who come back to me. I am so grateful for new business and I love my returning customers. My business is almost 100% referral and has been for years). Helpful clients share my work and refer me to their friends and family, the highest compliment someone can pay. I realize that clients demand quality work, and need to have a fun experience as well. Getting to know the family that I am working with is fun, sometimes, it’s my favorite part of the season. It should be fun and entertaining and the whole thing will be photographed!