Have you ever thought seriously about what you will or will not photograph.  How do you make the distinction between shooting weddings and shooting events?  If you shoot model portfolios, why won't you shoot me?  Should you shoot first and ask for a release later?  These are some of the questions I have asked or been asked.

I choose to shoot things I find either interesting, emotionally compelling, or funny.  I started out shooting sports.  I found the challenge of getting the shutter tripped at the peak moment of interest, the contact of the foot with the ball in soccer, the ball leaving the pitchers hand, the kayak at the highest moment of an ender, quite enjoyable.  I later chose to shoot landscapes, and learned to be patient and wait for the clouds to form around the peaks, or the rainbow to appear.  I shot scientific apparatus in use, fires, model rocket launches and just about anything I could get focused on in nature.  I shot cemeteries and dedication ceremonies.  I shoot often with an alien as my subject matter these days (to show that tourism is a universal concept).  What I choose to not shoot are minors, and most holiday style photos.

Wedding photography requires the photographer to have good rapport with people that are entrusting him to produce photos that can not be redone at one of the most stressed out days they will be having.  Since early on I decided that I would only produce photographs for my own enjoyment, weddings was not my gig.  Other events on the other hand, often have an element of fun involved, and often have more than one person shooting so you don't have to worry about missing something significant (like the cake cutting, bouquet toss, or the groom passing out from too much alcohol).

To keep my print portfolio up to date, I often shoot people.  l prefer shooting people that I have asked to shoot.  I do not like to shoot every body that asks me to shoot them.  In other words, if you are asking me to shoot and you are on the list I have of people I want in my portfolio, you will automatically be given a date and time to shoot.  If you aren't on the list, I will either give you my rate or recommend you shoot with my wife ( a highly skilled photographer with reasonable rates and a much better disposition).  If I have asked you to shoot and you agree but do not show up without a phone call, I will not be asking you to another shoot, but I will quote you a rate if you later ask me.  If you have to cancel a shoot with me and call me, I will be inclined to reschedule.

If I am shooting for a concept I may be able to sell, I try to get a release prior to shooting any photos.  Most of my other shoots, a release is not going to be needed.  Releases do not always mean you are shooting models.  Houses, cars, and pets can also be items for which a release may be necessary.

Have fun and keep shooting!