“The actual process of creating something from it’s inception to completion in the form of a finished work of art was and still is challenging, and I enjoy the limitations that come with the format and time component of large format film photography.”

Who is Steve Sherman?

Steve Sherman is a large format photographer based in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. His work is currently represented by the Paul Paletti Gallery in Louisville, Kentucky.

While I had met Steve at local PPA gatherings from time to time, it wasn't until I had a question or two that I approached Steve to go over some of the functions of my 4″x5″ field camera.

The truth is, my field camera baffled me. I have a stash of old Polaroid Type55, and I recall playing with it about 15 years ago, but the camera, the shutter release, and the storage box had not seen daylight much. And, to me, that's a travesty. Steve, I'm sure, agrees, though he prefers to use a 5″x7″ field camera instead.

Given how ubiquitous screens are in our lives today, I suspect way too many of us haven't laid our eyes on an actual print produced from a large format negative.

To put it bluntly, a well-exposed negative, dutifully processed in the right developer will yield prints that are nothing short of divine.

And, if you were to walk into Steve's darkroom, you'll see first-hand these gorgeous prints, well, everywhere. It's fair to say that Steve's life revolves around his family and his photography.

When my one question turned into three or five, I had to stop myself from asking more because Steve's responses were immediately actionable.

“Here, let me show ya,” he would say as he embarked on a mini-lesson that I was sure customized on the spot for me. If you were to meet Steve, you'd find him to be patient, observant, and thoughtful.

The Interview

I didn't want him thinking that I was just there to exploit his 35+ years of knowledge on the subject. So, I invited him to what I thought would be a quick chat in his darkroom.

Peter Dylag, who had initially introduced us, was also there, setting up his video cameras to film the entire episode for Steve's YouTube channel.

If you would rather watch the chat, check it out here –

Large Format Environmental Black & White Photography

Here are some examples of Steve's large format photography. Yes, I do fully understand the irony of publishing these small and on your screen for you to see. Let me repeat – if you ever get a chance to view Steve's work in person, do it. Each frame is a wonderful journey.

In addition following Steve's YouTube channel, I recommend you check out his dedicated Facebook page for large format photography.

From one of his recent posts:

“My three part video on the theory and operation of the View Camera will premiere on New Years Day. 34 minutes of Hi Def video is my gift to all who have interest as I take a break from Social Media.”

I do hope you spend a little time away from social media learning something brand new (if it is that) in 2020!

Please subscribe to Tiffincast. Click here for other episodes of Tiffincast.

I have shot one wedding. Friends asked me, I set expectations low, they knew their budget was low, everything went smoothly, they were happy, and that was the end of my wedding photography career.

There are a few reasons why I stuck with headshot photography and specialized in it, making it my full-time job.

One objective reason, and the reason for the name of this article, is the number of files I created in my first and last wedding: thousands of images to cull! Making selections is difficult to do with or without the client’s input. There are just so many images, so many people, so many stages of the day, pictures of the dress, pictures of the rings, pictures of the shoes, pictures of the program, pictures of the room, pictures of the food, pictures of the head table, etc. All that affects the workflow, and takes a lot of time after the wedding day.

In my headshot business, I am able to spend an hour or two with each individual client, and I take between 75 and 200 images, of the same kind of image, a headshot. We review on site since I am tethering with TetherTools and Capture One. The client makes selections at the end of the session, between 3 and 10 images, on average.

I work with two retouchers, so I send the files off to one of them and get them back retouched when they’re ready. I tweak them (2-5 minutes) and send them off. Client pushback or dissatisfaction is rare, since they chose the images, and they look even better than when they saw them straight out of camera.

That’s why a headshot business, particularly an in-studio headshot business is such a beautiful thing. It’s simple; each shoot is a discrete, relatively short time period with a low number of final images.

And I think headshot photographers and wedding photographers with similar skill levels in their specialties can make comparable sales numbers if they are full-time.

If you’re thinking about making photography a full-time thing, there’s a different, better genre for many photographers than wedding photography: take a look at headshot photography as a possible avenue.

I’ve done it, and it’s the best photography genre for me.

Learn more about headshot photography here.

Holiday deals for photographers? Sure why not!!

I initially wanted to take the whole week off. That's the truth. But I have friends in the business who cajoled me into creating this list of the best Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday & Giving Tuesday Deals!

Just click the links below and please feel free to share this post with your friends on social media.

Every penny that I make as an affiliate from each of these holiday sales will go towards (re) building Tiffinbox AND a percentage will be split between two organizations: Gifts of Love, in Avon, Connecticut and Healing Meals, in Bloomfield, Connecticut.

Buy The Book: 101 Tips for Street Photography

Piet van den Eynde and Willem Wersen's 101 Tips for Street Photography is on sale right now for a very limited time. Order just the PDF here or the Deluxe Edition that includes the PDF and 10 Lightroom Presets.

Get ShootProof: 40% Off!

The one service my business depends on is ShootProof. Day in and day out, I open it up, upload images and sometimes allow my corporate clients to download their images from this streamlined service. It saves me time, and makes me look good. Now through Cyber Monday, sign up for the annual plan and save a whopping 40% (it really does not get any better than this!)

LawTog Contracts

You have got to protect yourself and your business. That's where The LawTog‘s excellent contracts come into play. I've used the commercial contract to great success. A few changes here and a few changes there, to customize it and I was wall set. Again, this is a terrific resource that makes you and your business look professional from day one! Save 15% when you use the code – thanks19.

Photocrati WordPress Themes

Click this link to save on Photocrati. Use code: BF2019, to save big!

Imagely WordPress Plugins

Click this link to save on Imagely. Use code: BF2019, to save on the only WordPress plugin that allows you to integrate with a print lab!

The Mastin Labs Giveaway

Mastin Labs is setting you up for business success in 2020 with their Business Bundle Giveaway!

Enter to win over $5,000 worth of prizes for your photography business! You have 5 chances to win!

Tune in to @mastinlabs on Instagram each day, at 11 am pst starting Saturday, November 30th, to find out who the daily winners are!

WHAT YOU CAN WIN:

Mastin Labs Full Suite ($792 Value)
CaptureOne Pro License (1-year license, $417 value)
ShootProof (1-year license, $360 value)
Tomayia Colvin Education (1-year license, $288 value)
SmartSlides (1 year license, $384 value)
The Jumper by Brevite Backpacks ($119 Value)
Bittersweet Design Boutique Gift Certificate ($100 value)
Tave (1-year license, $264 value)
Flothemes or Squaremuse ($278 value)
QT Albums ($300 gift certificate)
Money Maker Gear ($175 gift certificate)

Rafal Wegiel's Beyond The Art of Headshot Retouching Course

Just a couple of weeks ago, Rafal Wegiel launched his course – “Beyond The Art of Headshot Retouching”. He and I chatted about it in an interview. Use the code: CYBERMONDAY to save 30% of the already low price for this in-depth tutorial!

Build An Irresistible Website

Did you know building a website isn't just about uploading a few images and adding a bunch of text? There is a method to the madness and I know you keep tinkering with your site (just as I do). I lean into what Jenika McDavitt at Psychology For Photographers says about this topic because she has put a lot of thought into her course, Irresistible Website. This new version of her course goes on sale on Black Friday for only $99!

Her other courses, Irresistible Words and Irresistible You are also on sale during this time.

If you add two or more courses and create a bundle, you save a bundle!

F-Stoppers Tutorials

https://youtu.be/BystgO-dFSs

Dylan Patrick's The Cinematic Headshot, one of many courses available at F-Stoppers, has easily garnered me a 60x in return since I bought, watched and applied what I had learned in his course. But there are other gems in the mix and this Black Friday to Cyber Monday, everything is on sale! Use the code: BF2019 when you check out.

Magmod Flash Modifiers + A Giveaway!

Save up to 25% on the very best small flash modifiers in the business – Magmod! Plus, the first two people buy $500 or more using my link, will win one MagShoe. I'll ship this to you directly, but I need proof of purchase from you in the form of a receipt. Please email this receipt to me right away to – seshu at tiffinbox dot org. Please note this is ONLY for the first two people whose order reaches $500 or more. Once they are gone, they are GONE!!

Printmaker's Black Friday Deals

The only way to counter the “give-me-digitals” mentality that is pervasive in this world is by educating your potential clients with appropriate solutions that shows them what their portraits are going to look like in their own home. This is where the Printmaker System comes into play. Their new Mix & Match Gallery Wall Builder is EXACTLY what will help you sell wall art to your clients. Show + sell, baby!

Superfeel, 30% off all Guides!

Here's a secret. I rarely pose people when I photograph them. Here's what I do instead – I use the prompts I have learned from the Superfeel guides to evoke a natural and loving expressions in my clients. If I can do it. So can you. This is a terrific framework for all portrait photographers! For a limited time these guides are 30% off their normal prices. This is a strong buy, if you ask me!

More Resources Will Be Added Here! Please keep coming back to check on this page.

Who is Steve Raymer?

Before Steve Raymer was Professor Emeritus, of Indiana University’s Media School, he spent 25 years at National Geographic Magazine, first as a staff photographer and then later as its director of the news service.

Block quote:

Raymer is author and photographer of Somewhere West of Lonely, My Life In Pictures, a visual memoir published in April 2018 by Indiana University Press. He also is author and photographer of Redeeming Calcutta: A Portrait of India’s Colonial Capital, published in 2012 by Oxford University Press; Images of a Journey: India in Diaspora, published in 2007 by Indiana University Press; Living Faith: Inside the Muslim World of Southeast Asia, published in 2001, and St. Petersburg, a 1994 book about the imperial Russian capital. Raymer is the photographer of several additional books, including The Vietnamese Cookbook, published in 2000 and Land of The Ascending Dragon: Rediscovering Vietnam, published in 1997. Raymer is currently completing a book titled The Public House: An Enduring British Institution — a volume that documents a centuries-old establishment that is threatened by an array of social, cultural, and economic changes.

My Back Story

I pursued a graduate degree at Indiana University in the late 90’s which is when I enrolled in one of Steve’s classes. He was still getting his bearings as a newly installed professor of visual communication (after I. Will Counts’ retirement from that same university), when I popped up with an idea to photograph the Muslim community in Bloomington, Indiana.

Steve was all for it, but as I showed him my contact sheets (this was back when I still shot lots of black and white film), he would take a red grease pencil and circle the frames that “almost” passable. He was a tough teacher, and I had no illusions that as a graduate student he expected more from me. I vividly recall the note he clipped on to the final images from the semester.

In measured sentences he asked me if I had the resolve to continue working as a photographer. I still hold onto that note from him because it fuels my 20+ year obsession in photography and it is one of the reasons I publish this blog. With a few words he lit a bon fire in me to keep at it, and to always feel deep inside that there is a better and stronger photograph to create the next time I am out with my cameras.

For that alone, I owe Steve Raymer a huge debt of gratitude.

The Interview

I had the pleasure of speaking with him some time ago and given that today is his birthday, I figured what more of an appropriate time than today to get this chat with him out into the world?

So here here it is:

Somewhere West of Lonely, The Book

Steve’s book, Somewhere West of Lonely, is one I recommend to all photographers. As you can expect, it is a visual feast. However, it is understanding a photographer’s backstory that makes this book that much more richer for me. And perhaps it will do for you as well.

Christmas is coming and Steve’s book will make for a wonderful gift this holiday season. I highly recommend you buy one for yourself and gift one to a photographer in your family.

Though headshot photography is gaining in popularity, retouching headshot portraits isn't discussed to a great degree in public yet. Only commercial photographers and professional retouchers handle this topic often, because that's been their domain for so long.

Things are, however, changing. There is a growing need for most people to appear professional, confident and approachable. Selfies and random party snaps simply do not cut it on sites like LinkedIn or when most people need to submit project proposals.

Rafal Wegiel a headshot portrait photographer based in Alberta, Canada intends teaching fellow photographers his approach to retouching headshot portraits.

His tips and techniques on Facebook forum and YouTube are simply great. Just a few days ago, he launched a new course called, “Beyond The Art of Headshot Retouching“.

We had a quick chat about the course and why he decided to introduce it to the world:

Learn more about the Headshot Retouching Tutorial here:

At $79.99, I think this is a steal. It's very hard to find a resource that is this in-depth. Across 17 videso, four of those being just retouching, Rafal walks you through just about every scenario that you will encounter as a headshot photographer. As I promised in the podcast above, I invested in this course right away. If you are reading this post and you have read this far or scanned down to this area, consider using the code: SESHU, to save $10 (for a limited time) OR use the code: HEADSHOT (also for a limited time) to save 20% when you check out.

Either way, I do not make an affiliate commission. Just bringing you something that will help you and your photography business!

Still interested in headshot photographers?

Eric Laurits, Perter Hurley and Dylan Patrick are all amazing headshot portrait photographers.

Corey Potter is on a mission to teach photographers all about SEO.

His website, Fuel Your Photos, has gradually become the place to visit for the latest news about site analytics, keyword use, using YouTube, writing blog posts and so much more.

Now, he has just launched a course dedicated to SEO, or search engine optimization, for photographers.

That's where you come in, if you are carefully watching your Google analytics and you aren't moving the needle but want to in terms of attracting the right visitors to your website and converting them into paying clients.

3 Common SEO Myths

Photographers tend to believe three common SEO myths. Corey dispels them all in this interview.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Corey about SEO for Photographers about a week ago. Take a listen and let me know in the comments how you are paying attention to your metrics – bounce rates, site visits or your Google rank.

Corey is one of the most generous people I know. He and his friend Dylan Howell can be found on Facebook Live quite often discussing SEO topics with their followers.

Corey just told me that he was chosen to participate in a special event for web masters hosted at Google.

The Course

So, if you are considering SEO for Photographers, you are in good and secure company. I know for a fact that Corey is going to take good care of you and will not lead you astray. Search engine optimization is what he obsesses about and we are the better for it.

If you are one of the first 25 people to use the code – tiffinbox – when enrolling in SEO for Photographers, Corey has promised the following bonuses:

1. Personal 10-15 minute website review to help you figure out exactly where to start to make the most impact on rankings. $99 value.

2. Lifetime course community access. We do monthly live video chats and release other exclusive content inside the course community FB group. You get lifetime access instead of 1 year access. $99/yr value.

3. Free access to our upcoming blogging course when it is released. $200 value.

The Book

If SEO for Photographers isn't something you can invest in now, do consider Corey's book, “22 SEO Actions You Can Take Today“. Save $5 on the book when using the code – tiffinbox

So, what do you say? Do you pay attention to your search engine stats? Do you know your way around the back end of Google Analytics? Or, are you like me, a photographer who needs help figuring it all out. If you have read this far, you know where to find help. I trust you will consider SEO for Photographers.

Esteban Gil is a wedding photographer based in Guilford, Connecticut. He is also a teacher and mentor to scores of wedding photographers through his website, Steel & Flint Society.

The Wedding Photographer's Portfolio

Here are some of Esteban's exquisite wedding photography:

The Interview

Esteban and I spoke several months ago and I have finally got this interview with him ready for you to check out. So, click the graphic below and give this a listen now.

At 12:37, I ask Esteban about his next workshops. Please disregard the dates as these have all long gone past us.

The Steel & Flint Soceity

STEEL + FLINT is an interactive, community-based resource for wedding photographers, with the goal of instilling a sense of “community over competition” among its members.

While Esteban started the Steel & Flint Society, he is joined by Nicole Apuzzo, Roxanne Gil, Mike Musto and Drew Hines when it comes to leading other photographers through in-person workshops.

Want to learn step by step instructions on how to use a Godox AD200 and a Westcott Rapid Box together? There is an online tutorial for it.

It's a learn-by-doing environment. Check out the weekly challenges that you can participate in as well.

But if you are really intent on meeting up with Esteban or any of the other Steel & Flint Society leaders, keep an eye out for their workshops here (just don't be surprised if they are all SOLD OUT, so you do have to jump on the opportunity as soon as it presents itself!)

For Wedding Photographers

If you are a wedding photographer, what would like to learn at a Steel & Flint Society event?

WordPress Plugins For The Win

These are truly exciting times we are living in. As professional photographer, if your website uses WordPress plugins, you are going to want to sit up and pay a little attention.

Would you like an easy and seamless way for your clients to order prints through your own website?

If you said yes, you are in the majority. With nearly 30% of all photography websites based on WordPress, the time has come to be able to fully harness the power behind the ubiquitous platform.

My friend, Scott Wyden Kivowitz, who works for Imagely just sent me an email to confirm that print fulfillment is now a reality for wedding and portrait photographers.

The Announcement

This is BIG news.

After nearly four years of development, Imagely‘s NextGen Pro WordPress plugin now will allow your clients to place print orders through your own website!

How awesome is that?

Learn more about print fulfillment via the NextGen Pro WordPress plugin.

The Interview With Scott Wyden Kivowitz

A few days before the announcement, I actually got to chat with Scott about the update to their legendary WordPress plugin. Check out that interview below:

P.S. We talk about the NextGen Pro plugin being updated “today” but it was technically launched yesterday.

More Questions

As it so happens so many times, after the interview is recorded I am reminded of some questions that forgot to ask Scott. He was very kind to respond. I'm sure site speed and plugin reliability are your concerns as well. Here is what he had to say about both of those topics:

WordPress, including themes and plugins, can have security issues. But so do Google, Apple, Squarespace and every other software company out there. You don’t hear about most of them. WordPress security issues come up so often because it’s easy to attack open-source software, used by 30% of the Internet. Even Microsoft had 529 vulnerabilities in 2019 alone which are individually listed here. Apple had 229.

With that said, my suggestion is to use themes and plugins from reputable companies. These are companies who update their products often for compatibility with constant changes in technology. But also companies who are updating their products, fast, to solve any security issues that may arise.

I’d recommend hosting with companies who keep their servers up to date and WordPress up to date. For example, hosts that use PHP version 5.2 and older are vulnerable to security holes not visible in PHP version 7.2 or above. So you can clog leaks by merely keeping the server up to date, which has nothing to do with WordPress.

In addition to updates, you can identify reputable companies by how active they are responding to social posts, how active they are in public forums, how they’re reviewed regularly, and so on.

Imagely's NextGen Pro

So, there you have it. Will you be updating your WordPress plugins to include NextGen Pro? How do you think your clients are going to react when they are able to book a session AND order their prints through your site?

While right now the only lab onboard to work with NextGen Pro is WHCC, that is likely to change as more labs are integrated in the system. Which professional labs would you like to see work with this application?

If you are handy with WordPress (and even if you are not, the folks at Imagely will help you out), I hope you will consider this WordPress plugin.

Friends at Chennai Photo Biennale have just informed me about a new residency program that will address the changes to how we now perceive “the family portrait.”

This project invites photographers and lens-based artists to reimagine the Family Portrait by establishing the transition from the accepted definition of ‘the family' to what it represents today.

If you are a photographer that is already pursuing family photography or you are a social anthropologist who is studying how visual perceptions shape society, you might be one of 10 selected to study with experts from France, Germany and India.

The residency will run from September through November 2019, in two phases with three mentors. Some sessions will take place in Chennai, India, while others will be conducted online.

The selection criteria is as follows:

Residency is open only to practising lens-based artists and photographers of South Asian origin across the world (South Asian Countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka)

Applicants can submit proposals for existing projects they are working on or new ideas on family portraiture they plan to work on.

For more information, please visit this Chennai Photo Biennale page.

Please note that the deadline is fast approaching – August 31, 2019!

Muslims In America

The first Muslims may have arrived in the North American continent in the 14th century. And according to this article about “Islam in America,” even Christopher Columbus may have used a guide book written by Portuguese Muslims!

Yet, Muslims in America today often feel marginalized and stigmatized by the media. They become easy targets of ridicule because of their faith or in the way they dress. The fact is, Muslims who have either immigrated to the United States or have been here for generations are productive citizens in the communities they call home.

Genesis Of A Project

So, when New York based editorial photographer Syed Yaqeen was looking to work on a portrait project, it would seem the work came looking for him!

Syed who is originally from Bangladesh, identifies himself as an American now. To counter the often negative portrayal of Muslims in the media, Syed commenced to work on project to portray his Muslim sisters and brothers in a positive manner. Through his work, he hopes to inform us that Muslims are so much more than the stereotypes seen on television every night.

He was commissioned by ISPU – The Institute of Social Policy and Understanding – to create the portraits for Muslims for American Progress.

Portraits of A Community

From Syed's site:

“The Muslims for American Progress (MAP) Project educates the public by providing a much-needed, evidence-based portrait of a deeply misunderstood community. The MAP project quantifies the contributions of American Muslims in New York City in eight areas: Civics and Democracy, Economic Development, Medicine, STEM, Philanthropy and Nonprofits, Arts and Entertainment, Sports & Education. MAP-NYC is a project of the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding. ISPU conducts objective, solution-seeking research that empowers American Muslims to develop their community and fully contribute to democracy and pluralism in the United States. ISPU is a leading think tank focused on studying and empowering the American Muslim community.”

The Interview with Syed Yaqeen

Syed and I recently chatted about his work and where he hopes to take it after New York City. Give this quick interview a listen please.

Syed's Portrait Portfolio

Give these portraits a close look please. These are our neighbors, our friends, may be even our relatives. I believe the central premise to Syed Yaqeen's work is to show us that Muslims aren't really very different than you and me.

Meet & Greet

Meet some of the subjects of this project this Saturday (April 14, 2019) at the Mulberry Street Library in New York City.