By Jonathan Ment
Jonathan Ment Photography doesn’t operate a walk-in photography practice. There’s no rent on a main street studio where people can wander in off the street and have their picture taken. This sort of studio still exists on some level, but in the age of selfies the novelty of having your picture taken in a storefront studio is not the draw it once was.
Some photographers do maintain studios, particularly those with a limited focus on product or portrait photography.
I shoot ‘on location.’ That means a few things. If we’re capturing head shots, it takes a few minutes to set up a backdrop and lights. If commercial work, I might pick up and later return the products that clients need photographed.
If the subject is a wedding, reunion or other celebration, the setting becomes the studio and in addition to the candid captures we look for suitable areas where desired photos can be ‘set up.’ This presents different ideas and situations every time and is a lot of fun.
When it’s real estate, like a home for sale or short term rental (STR), naturally the ‘studio’ is wherever the subject sits. Often, these are inside shoots keeping exterior clues to whereabouts to a minimum. Sometimes STR sessions include a bit of deck or yard, rarely the road frontage.
In all instances, whether a date is booked ahead of time, or not – short notice (like tomorrow!), appointments are made and the photos are taken. When you’re planning a wedding, once venue and date are confirmed couples line up flowers, bakers and photographers. Contracts are signed months or a year or more in advance.
Proposals and engagement sessions? Those come together a little closer to the fact. I’ve been booked months ahead of time but I’ve also been contacted only a day or two before someone planned to “pop the question.”
Often, I’m able to say ‘yes’ especially if there’s a little flexibility with timing. Occasionally I must decline due to other bookings or obligations. Knowing the region as I do, I’m able to make suggestions that help the moment go smoothly, considering the inevitable nervousness that comes with the event.
Occasionally, sessions happen in 24 hours or less after initial contact. These are most often the case in the middle of the week when needs arise unexpectedly and I’m most likely to be available. But these are rarely about people. More often, it’s real estate.
Recently near 5 p.m. on a Tuesday the phone rang with a business name I didn’t recognize on the caller id. On the other end, my newest client needed photos of a home in Windham. “It needs work,” he said, adding “and interior photos won’t help sell it.”
Exterior photos only was the order of the day and he planned to be in the area the next afternoon, if I was available to get it done. With a few questions I learned there was about a wooded half acre, a nice water feature and that was it.
After a quick check of the weather, we quickly settled on the rate and terms, agreed to communicate in the morning and planned to meet there.
In the morning, I confirmed the location, gathered my gear and headed over at the agreed upon time. One hour after we met and I started, we were done.
The old saying ‘location, location, location,’ is what matters in real estate is true and when the property is in need of a little TLC even more so, so capturing the setting of the house becomes key. Whomever eventually moves in will make this place their own but they won’t impact the woods they’re set into or the creek they’re beside. Those are among the things likely to attract them in the first place.
About an hour after capping my lens and shaking hands, I was editing and uploading the session for delivery. I had captured a little more than four times the requested number of finished photos. I believe in options and digital photography gives you that freedom.
Lens flares, which some see as a defect, I look for and include as alternates when possible. I think they’re beautiful and better when real than a forced ‘filter.’
By morning, the photos had been reviewed and everyone was very happy.
Another perfect day behind the lens for Jonathan Ment Photography
Rarely can I accommodate a request for “tomorrow,” but I never mind being asked! Maybe we can find a time that works in the coming days. On more than one occasion clients have booked only to realize they were not ready and we’ve had to reschedule. Also, not usually a problem!
Do you need photos? Let’s talk about what you picture for your photography project.
Email or text or text (845) 845 430 4030 to get started, or simply dial that phone to chat.
Thanks for reading.
Jonathan Ment
You can find, follow and like Jonathan Ment Photography on Facebook and at www.catskillsphotographer.com
Jonathan Ment Photography 