How would you feel if another creative were to challenge the way you think and work as a photographer? Would you be prepared to accept you may be doing things wrong in your business? Could you accept there are ways you can improve everything you're doing? Be ready to feel challenged by Joao in this episode – I wasn't and I'm still struggling with the changes I need to make.
João de Medeiros grabbed my attention when I saw a camera gear post on the Japan Camera-Hunter blog. In his camera bag were old film cameras, a sony digital camera and a bunch of manual focus lenses!
I searched around to look at his wedding photography work and loved it. I couldn't pin down a particular style because there was a bit of everything which seems to go entirely against the “niche down and find your style” that a lot of professional photographers and business experts are preaching today.
A little more searching and I came across a series of blog comments which I loved. Each was full of strong opinion. Nothing rude or vindictive just a solid opinion from someone comfortable doing what they do… successfully… and in manual.
Here’s some of what we cover:
What’s on Offer for Premium Members
If you’re a premium member, you should have received an email with links to your version of this episode where you can hear lots more content from where we dive deeper into some of the earlier topics plus some new ones that I pushed hard for that include:
If you're on the fence about becoming a premium member, join with the $1 trial today and get access to the FULL interview with João de Medeiros, get access to an amazing back catalogue of interviews and ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet.
Plus, access to a members only Facebook group where we take learning and community to a whole new level.
What is your big takeaway?
Following this interview, I’d love to know what your biggest takeaway is – what is the one thing that you’d like to implement or learnt from what was shared? Let me know by leaving your thoughts in the comments below.
Manual focus is not only about control. It's about composition – João de Medeiros
If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask João or if you just want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them below.
iTunes Reviews and Shout-outs
Each week I check for any new iTunes reviews and it's always a buzz to receive these… for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, it's confirmation that I'm on the right track with the interviews and that they really are helping you improve your photography business. That's awesome!
Secondly, iTunes is the biggest search engine when it comes to podcasts and it's your reviews and ratings that help other photographers find PhotoBizX. More listeners means more interviews and ultimately a better show.
If you have left a review in the past, thank you!
If you haven't and you'd like to, head to https://photobizx.com/itunes and you can leave some honest feedback and a rating which will help both me and the show and I'll be sure to thank you on the show and add a link to your website or blog if you let me know the URL like I have with the review below:
Great podcast – superb host, brilliant guests!
In iTunes by Barry Forshaw of Barry Forshaw Photography in the UK.
I’m a voracious podcast listener, and of all the podcasts I listen to, Photobiz Xposed is the one I look forward to most every week.
Andrew is a superb host. He gets right to the point and drills down to the nitty-gritty, finding out specific information for his listeners, all with a great, conversational tone.
The range of guests is excellent – from seasoned industry pros to relatively new photographers.
The extras for the paid version are well worth it.
It’s the sort of podcast that you can listen to multiple times, and I often do, with pen and paper to hand and a list of new practices to implement.
Long may it continue!
You shouldn't look for beautiful things but you should search for feelings, emotions, relations – João de Medeiros
Black Friday Special for 12 months Premium Membership
There's never been a special for the premium membership but I'm planning one for the upcoming Black Friday weekend – Friday 27th November till Monday 30th November 2015.
There will be a massive 40% off for that one weekend only and only for the 12 month subscription.
Normally priced at $200USD, the special price will be $120USD. Again, this will be the only special for the year and it's only for the one weekend.
I'll send links to the special sign up page to anyone on my email list which you can get on by simply downloading my free ebook – How To Book More Portraits Than You Ever Thought Possible.
Existing premium members, feel free to cancel your existing subscription and sign up for the special price if that suits you. Instructions on cancelling your membership can be found here: https://photobizx.com/premium-membership-cancel
You have one day to make an impression, a lasting impression – João de Medeiros
New Facebook Group for Premium Members
The new Facebook Group for Premium members has kicked off and is going amazingly well. The camaraderie, help, support, questions and answers have been overwhelmingly good.
I think the successor of the group has a lot to do with everyone's common interest to build a better photography business and the fact everyone is at a different level means the range of topics and help really has been exceptional.
Members will have noticed more and more interview guests have been joining and participating in the discussions which just adds another level of value completely.
Having the Group as part of the Premium Membership has just added a whole new level of value – I love that!
Productivity Hacks
In the last episode, I mentioned productivity and asked if you had any tips, ideas or software you could recommend to help. Here's an email from wedding photographer Clint Bargen of Clint Bargen Photography from North Vancouver in Canada:
Just listening to your podcast while I finish up some wedding photos. Love the show! I look forward to it every week.
You mentioned this week something about internet productivity, that's a struggle I definitely have as well!
One super helpful app is called “Freedom” and it allows you to completely turn off your internet for a set amount of time. I use it almost every day and I highly recommend it.
Anyway, just wanted to let you know about that. Now back to the slog!
Best,
Clint
I've downloaded and installed the software and it works great! I'm not yet in the habit of remembering to turn it on yet but plan to make it a habit.
There are free and paid versions. I spoke to Clint and he's using the paid version and highly recommends the extra features. Details on pricing are here: https://freedom.to/welcome
Art is not a competition – João de Medeiros
Facebook Re-marketing Offer from Kerry Fitzgibbon
Following the last episode with Kerry Fitzgibbon which was heavily focussed on Facebook Advertising and remarking, there have been a lot of comments, emails and messages about the technical aspect of what Kerry was teaching.
As good as Kerry was at explaining how to set up remarking yourself, it was technical and there were a lot of steps. In saying that – there is no doubt the power of remarking will help any photographer improve their bookings.
I did ask Kerry if she had some specific training for listeners and she has come through… Big time!
She has made her remarking training available to listeners for $197 (normally $500!) to you.
Click here to get the training – Social Media Plus One – Remarking Training
Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:
Joao De Medeiros Facebook Page
Joao De Medeiros Personal Facebook
Joao De Medeiros Camera Gear blog post
A Manual Approach to Wedding Photography by Joao De Medeiros
The 100 Best Wedding Photographers in the World: 2015
Henri Cartier-Bresson Scrapbook
Henri Cartier-Bresson: Scrapbook First Edition Edition on Amazon
The Photobook: A History, Vol. 1 by Martin Parr
The Photobook: A History – Volume 2 by Martin Parr
The Photobook: A History Volume III 1St Edition Edition by Martin Parr
Sebastião Salgado: GENESIS by Lelia Wanick Salgado
Trent Parke: Minutes to Midnight by Trent Parke
Storyteller: The Photographs of Duane Michals
Freedom Software for productivity and turning off apps or internet access all together
Equipment
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM A1 ART Autofocus Lens for Canon
Zeiss 35mm f/2 Biogon T* ZM MF Lens for Zeiss Ikon & Leica M Cameras
Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.2 II Aspherical Wide Angle Leica M Mount Lens
SONY A99 Translucent Mirror Interchangeable Lens Camera with Full Frame
Sony a7 Full-Frame Mirrorless Digital Camera
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 16.05 MP Live MOS Mirrorless Digital Camera
Rolleiflex 2.8 F Type 2 Camera
Leica 10771 M 24MP RangeFinder Camera
Pentax K1000 Camera with 50mm (f/2.0) Lens
Canon EOS 5D 12.8 MP Digital SLR Camera
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Large Aperture Medium Telephoto Prime Lens for Sony Digital SLR Cameras
Voigtlander VM-E Close Focus Adapter for VM-Mount Lens to Sony E-Mount Camera
Thank you!
Thank you again for listening to the show and thanks to Joao for sharing so much about his photography, his business and for inspiring me (you too hopefully) to keep learning, keep improving and never ever forget about the history of what we do as photographers today.
If you have any suggestions, comments or questions about this episode, please be sure to leave them below in the comment section of this post, and if you liked the episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post!
That’s it for me this week, hope everything is going well for you in life and business!
Thanks and speak soon
Andrew
Great interview guys. Loved your outlook on the photographic industry Joao. You have amazing passion for the industry. I studied photography at tertiary level and it was the best thing I did.
Well done guys. I’ll look you up on Facebook Joao
Thanks Chris!
I wish I had of been into photography at an earlier age and had the chance to study it.
I know it’s never too late but for some reason, it feels like there are less hours in the day now.
What an inspiring interview Andrew and Joao. I love Joao’s passion for photography. It’s so great to hear why he loves to shoot mirrorless and in manual mode. It puts you in an enormous amount of pressure but the connection between each created image would be so satisfying.
Thoroughly enjoyed it!
Thanks Mark.
Maybe that’s what I was attempting to get out on the show when talking about manually focussing – that connection between photographer and image just might be that little bit closer. Whatever the reason, it’d be a great skill to master.
Andrew, that was a fantastic podcast. Joao is an incredible photographer and I have been a follower of his work for some time now. Hearing his thoughts on his art and approach was just fantastic. And to know that a guy with his talent and vision isn’t chasing the big bucks and is happy leading a simple lifestyle, is also inspiring. And what a nice guy too! I feel that sometimes that the photo industry is all about the money and it’s refreshing to hear it is not.
I have to be honest, I was very close to cancelling my membership, not because of any fault of yours, it’s a business podcast after all, but more because I run my business in a simple way and I started to feel that all of the sales tactics and business methods and gear chat, maybe wasn’t for me. Today’s podcast reminded me why I started listening to your show in the first place. Discussions that go beyond the superficial and into what matters with the art/creative side of the ‘business’. Discussions with incredible photographers like Joao, Ian and Jonas. Discussions that remind me to keep things simple, be different, and focus on what matters to me.
I realise that it’s a tricky balance for you and that everyone will want different things from this show, but I would personally urge you to keep pursuing guests that can articulate thoughts on their art, their passion, the approach, as well as guests that are brilliant business people. Thanks for a great listen and I’m staying a subscriber 🙂
It’s hearing reactions like this Paul, that I love and believe in a community centered on Photography. I hear you, this podcast main strength to me (has a student) is precisely the level of intimacy you get with the host and guest. Andrew is Huge, I hope he has the time and energy to lead his ideas years ahead and see the growth of this amazing group. I’ve said it on the interview but I’ll say it again, many of our friends and colleagues pay so much to be part of the crowd and you can get everything here for a few bucks of a symbolic fee. Stay true, best wishes and thank you for your kind words.
Thanks for your kind words Joao. I don’t have any plans to stop soon.
Thanks for adding such thoughtful comments Paul. I agree, the photography industry can feel like it’s all about the money and I guess a podcast like PhotoBizX adds to that in some ways. To be honest, I get torn between the pursuit of photography for arts sake and livelihood and feel it’s a fine line to tread sometimes.
As much as I’d like to shoot only for me, it’s just not practical all of the time. Maybe it’s the position I’ve put myself in with a home loan, a car, good schooling for the kids etc. A simpler life sounds like a dream worth pursuing.
You’re so right about Joao and his approach to his work – a nice guy shooting for the art of it. Even with all that talent.
His approach reminds me a little of photographers like Fer Juaristi, Dan Cripps, Ian Weldon, and Dean Dampney.
I appreciate your honesty in regard to your membership and totally get it. It is a fine line with topics and guests and business but I’ll endeavour to keep some of the “deeper” conversations coming.
Glad you’re sticking around 🙂
I’ve known João for 10 years, it has been a huge pleasure to have you as a friend, as well as to follow all of his journey into the world of wedding photography.
It is certainly a person who is worth what it is, and what it does. And that is reflected in his unique work.
Congratulations to Andrew for this podcast, and John to be extremely inspiring in his person and in his work.
Thanks for adding your comments Nuno – you’re lucky to have a friend as inspirational and talented as Joao and I’m glad our paths crossed.
Another great interview this week. Loads to think about and to put into practice. I’ll definitely be listening to this one again as I am in the process of redefining my whole approach to wedding photography.
It was great to hear my own name on the podcast too. It was quite a surprise! As you said in the podcast Andrew, it might be worth listing some of the photography podcasts I listen to hear, in case other photographers want to check them out.
From a business perspective The Sprouting Photographer is pretty good – it’s mostly from an American/Canadian perspective which may be a positive or negative depending upon your point of view!
I know that Way Up North got a bit of a kicking in the podcast, but Nordica did a series of podcasts with their speakers on the run-up to the conference and they were excellent. They didn’t focus on gear or business really, it was more about the deeper motivations of the photographers which was refreshing.
Phototypes is a great British based podcast with short interviews with working photographers, some famous, some not so famous.
I used to love TWIP but I have gone off it in the past year or two. That might be because they have started a load of genre specific podcasts – I occasionally listen to Street Focus with Valerie Jardin, the Candid Frame and TWIP weddings.
I have started listening to the WeShootFuji podcast in preparation for switching systems and Marco Larousse is one of my favourite street photographers at the moment.
Finally, I’m still hopeful that Michael Rammell, formerly of this parish, will start up his podcast again – Ready Steady Pro.
I hope someone will find some inspiration in this list, and I hope that others will add to it because I’m always looking for more!
Thanks again Barry for your incredibly generous iTunes review – and what a terrific guest to share a shout out with.
Loving your list of podcast, thanks for doing that!
There’s a few there I don’t know and look forward to checking out.
Appreciate your honest review of each too.
I loved this interview as well. I started out in street photography and learned through likes of many of the names João mentioned. I can certainly understand where he’s coming from, and a lot of what he said in the interview resonated with me.
That said, there were also things he spoke of that were very challenging to hear. As someone who is still trying build a business, to keep rooted in the art-form can become an afterthought. Especially so if all you’ve been thinking and doing has been business related. I especially liked your commitment to NOT shooting engagements.
You suggested the word pretentious as an explanation for your attitudes. I’d like to think that your approach is just a means through which you can shoot weddings and not lose yourself completely. I’d describe someone like that not as pretentious, but as admirably brave.
I’m going to strive to keep that balance. I want to be a photographer first, and a business person second. Again, João – great interview and I absolutely love your work after seeing the website and instagram.
Hey Spenser, thanks for adding your comments and love that you enjoyed the interview with Joao.
That torn feeling you’re experiencing between creating art and doing business, I don’t think that will ever go away and it’ll be something you’ll always be wrestling with. I mentioned in another comment here – there are photographers doing it but most that are able to concentrate more on the art side (that I know of or have interviewed) all lead simpler lives with less bills, overheads and dept.
“Admirably brave” – now that’s a label I’m sure Joao would be proud to wear. Very cool.
Me too Spenser – I want to be a photographer first, businessperson second (though a very close second!!)
Me too, me too!
Although it wasn’t always that way.
Something has changed in the way I approach photography in the last couple years.
Which is a good thing – I’m more passionate about it than ever before and want to be better.
Im not sure what i think about this podcast. I dont know how to shoot with the rolleiflex or the leica nor did i realise what zone focusing meant until i looked it up. Id probably fail to meet Joao’s idea of a real photographer as well. Its all about the dollar when it comes to the amount of work i do for the client. Maybe its cause i see the dollars as compensation to my children for not being there.
It was interesting what he said about albums and karma. His book sounds almost like a proof book all the photos in one book. I do agree that being a good person is the best marketing you can do.
Be assured Te, you’re not the only one… I’ve never shot a rolleiflex or a leica but I have a feeling Joao wasn’t being 100% literal but more making a point that todays photographers don’t have an understanding of the history of photography or who came before us. Instead, we’re caught in this modern era where we seem to idolise the photographers with the most followers, likes and fans on social media – the “rock star” of our industry.
I may be wrong about that too 🙂 If so, I’m not a real photographer either.
I didn’t get too caught up with those comments though, or my short falls as a photographer, instead I came away feeling inspired to get better at photography, understand more of the history and try new things, learn new skills.
I get that it has to be about the dollar – it’s like that for a lot of us but I think there can be a balance – I’m sure we can pursue the art of photography while still building a profitable business.
I think Joao has commented elsewhere on this thread that business is his weakness and it’s something he wants to improve. We all have our strengths and weaknesses – here’s hoping we can find the time to work on the weaknesses.
I’m with you all the way on the good person thing 🙂
Hey Andrew, what a horrible story of your recent shoot where all the cell phone photos were posted online before you got home! The closest that, that has happened to me was a cousin of the bride who had his own photography page got home and posted a small gallery of his photos. I got mad at first as I would assume most photographers would, but then I remembered then I didnt have any weddings under my belt and would kinda… do the same thing. So I let it go but I had already made the wedding booking. Your situation is worse because you are missing out on a sale. I love Linda’s idea to turn it into a teaching lesson with side by sides to show off the difference in quality. Then if a client comes to pick up their print and are as straight forward that they already printed their cell phone picks then say no worries and just rip up your prints infront of a the client.
I took a few things away from Joao’s episode… I totally hear what Joao is saying about engagements and he is on point. Its 100% right. Its not a direct representation of the couples relationship and I see how its not right to paint them in a different light. Its a super interesting take on them that Ive never heard before. I personally love the engagement sessions. I love just being with the couples. I know it might sound bad but the more I like the couple, the harder I work for them on the wedding day, and there isn’t much time to just talk with the photographer on the day. When I talk with them at the engagement session it almost builds a fire in me to kick ass for them. The weddings where I meet the couple the day of, just rant as strong to me. Im not as connected to them.
It was definitely a shocker and a learning experience. Linda’s idea is a good one although, the issue is still – if the client believed their photos are good enough, they are.
The only way forward, for me anyway is to have a no photo policy on a shoot. I’ve been thinking about how to word it and not spoil the session – especially when most clients wouldn’t think of shooting over my shoulder. I want to word it in a way that’s comes across positive, something like…
I’ve had a few people trying to take photos during these sessions and it really spoils everything – the kids don’t know where to look, the parents are distracted and not involved and really, this is an opportunity to spend some quality time together as a family with no distractions. I’d love it if you could leave your phones behind or at the very least, don’t take any photos while I’m shooting.
I haven’t had the chance to try this yet but will play around and see what works.
Yeah, I’m with you on the liking the couple, doing a better job for them. And getting to know them at an engagement shoot is often the best way to get to know them. Sure, a coffee shop meeting is cool but with a shoot, there is always something happening, it’s fun and something new for the couple (usually) and there’s a very good chance of a sale at the end.
As “fake” as they may be – I’ll continue to do them for my clients that want them. Not being included in my bottom two collections means the ones who request it, pay for it and really want the shoot – I’m happy when that happens.
Great interview! I’m most definitely NOT going to give the manual focus thing a rip, but it’s still cool to hear about how effective it is for someone else. Good work Joao!
I also liked your comment about some photographers acting like they’re rock stars… nothing in this industry irks me more than that. Just be yourself! You’re not Tommy Lee! 😉
Thanks Chris!
Haha, why not – too much stress?
Ohhhh, I so wanna be Tommy Lee 😉
Haha not stress! Just because everyone is driving their automatic cars these days, I’m not going to go out and buy a Flintstones car so I can use my feet and then and call everyone else lazy and not a true driver. 😉
This was such a great interview with Joao. I loved your passion and intelligence when you described yourself as a photographer and it was very affirming to me that I’m on the right path.
On another note, I had the same thing happen as Andrew with a portfolio building session this week. The Mum brought along two adorable children and I was stoked to find a hidden treasure, an old tyre swing in a beautiful bushland setting so I did my thing, snap snap. At one point I saw the mum sneak out her mobile but she did it discreetly and I thought oh well, it won’t be as good as mine, but still! When I got back to the computer to upload the images I discovered her in many of the images in the background sneakily taking phone pictures and trying the cover the evidence with her hand.
I was soon mad!
At the time I knew it was wrong, but her sister has booked me to shoot her wedding next year, and she has been the most amazing client, singing my praises to anyone who will listen. And because of the Mum’s situation it was clear she had plenty of disposable income for private school / holidays etc.
Anyhow she has ignored all my emails to schedule in a viewing session so that’s that! I’m amending my model release which they sign before we start shooting and it will say absolutely no photography allowed.
Rant over!
Love when that affirmation thing happens and you feel like you’re on the right path.
What happened to you at your shoot, totally sux too! So annoying.
Good to hear you still have the wedding and the referrals of a happy client.
I imagine you can pretty much forget about the sales session with that client… Why not film yourself tearing up photos of her kids and email it to her… I’m kidding! Seriously, I’m kidding. It would be fun though (insert evil laugh here).
Great show I’m not a professional But I love your show every guest is treated like a long lost friend. I know you are helping people learn the best ways to run a business but your down to earth style and your honest candour makes it more about life than business for me. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Joe – your comments mean more to me than you know.
Much appreciated and great to have you listening – pro or not.
***snort*** I didn’t quite catch the part of the podcast where you mentioned tearing up photos, but I was curious if you would do that Andrew!
I have’t actually done it yet Deb but I’ve told Tenneille it wold be ok to do that in the circumstances we faced last week when the client was bragging about taking photos during our shoot and having already had them printed.
I’d love to see her reaction although I think I’d struggle to do it.
That was such a great and refreshing view on photography. If i could sum it up in one word it would be honesty !
Really great to hear that I’m not the only one who gets a stern word from my wife when i give a bit too much back to my clients. Its hard not to really when we spend so long with them, we have a personal investment in them.
I’d love to know if it is just me who gets a bit teary during certain wedding days.
Listening to the podcast, i had an image of Joaos work, especially when you compared him to Ian a bit. But looking at his website, Joao, you have amazing work (so does Ian, but very different), very inspiring, how you use light is amazing, i can’t see signs of flashes anywhere.
Was it a 16 hour day wedding too I thought we had it tough in Ireland with a 13 hour day ! wow.
Great stuff, more inspiration and affirmation that I am not along in giving a bit more back when my wife says stop!
Thank you Paul! I’m glad you enjoyed the interview. No flash at all, not that i think it’s better/worse not to use them, I simply prefer the available light I’m given. I too think it’s a very personal investment, so much that to me it’s really important that the “client” love the way I see things. There are so many visions, and that’s really important because it opens opportunities to everyone. I love the “survivors” in weddings, they always give me something “extra” about the couple and family/friends.
Best wishes!
Glad to hear you enjoyed the interview Paul – one of my favourites for sure!
And no, you’re not the only one who tears up at a wedding. It’s not often but I’m a sucker for raw emotion – whether it be real life at weddings or movies – I’m hopeless!
Finally had time to listen, and it was well worth it! Joao, if you have not, I believe you would also enjoy the work of photojournalism masters William Albert Allard, Alex Webb and Eugene Richards in your study of photography. They often compose with multiple points of content in the image – much different than the shallow depth of field/one item so prevalent in wedding photography today. I used to have multiple copies of Allard’s book “The Photographic Essay” and would give a copy to outstanding intern’s who I was mentoring. His quotes on his site are good thinkers: http://www.williamalbertallard.com/thoughts.php
However, I’d disagree with you that engagement shoots are not photography. They are in the vein of portrait shooters like Karsh, Avedon, Penn, etc. and Gabe McClintock’s Connection shoots are some of the most moving images I have seen, they just happen to be of engaged couples.
You talked about taking your style of shooting and then applying to weddings when you first started – is there someplace to see your earlier work, as I’d like to see that progression as I admire your current work. Thanks!
Dear Rollin,
Thank you! I mean, double thank you! You made this happen.
Yes, I absolutely recommend Webb’s work, Allard and Richards. Webb’s web content from interviews to exhibitions are a must, the best book for anyone starting would be his “The suffering of Light”.
Regarding “I’d disagree with you that engagement shoots are not photography” well I didn’t say it wasn’t. I said that it has nothing to do with the wedding day. It’s an invention by photographers, it’s a product like “trash the dress”. A wedding isn’t a product, at least to me, it’s a real living thing.
Indeed it’s in the vein of all the commercial shots provided by Photographers like Avedon and the like. I wouldn’t mix Gabe at the same level though…I don’t approach Photography in that way, the product way, they do. I guess it’s part of the “limits/themes” they like to work. But in documentary your not bond by commercial interests. When you impose some limits on your work you actually get a kind of freedom you don’t see when you respond to commercial demands.
When I started applying to weddings I spent a month helping a couple of photographers in editing the work, after that I did a beach wedding (October 2012) and that’s it. I had all the experience in Photography from teaching or doing corporate work (10 years). I believe that my education on seeing and reading PhotoBooks really gave me the security to do my own thing. I love the History of Photography, I spent years studying it and it really pays off. In the end when you invest that kind of time, it’s not actually a question of knowing this or that (because you do) but a question of where do you fit? What’s your passion, what moves you? And you have such a visual insight on things that you know what you want from reality.
Helmut Newton for instance, in the same level of Avedon used to say he was a “gun for hire” and he was for me at least the most honest about what he was doing.
I’m more introspective, I selected weddings because you have lots of people, theres a lot of social activity and intense emotions and it’s in a tight schedule while it pays your rent in the end when you deliver you story. It’s like working for Life magazine but without the editorial constrains and without any regard to what the public “wants”.
Maybe I am this way because of my background in theatre and jazz, but the people I met in those years couldn’t care less about what others do or think, it’s was always an interior thing. You do it because you have to do it…it’s your life your passion.
You can compare it at another level, you have Spielberg and Kubrick….both giants and terrific directors…but listen to what Terry Gillian says about the two.
https://youtu.be/CAKS3rdYTpI
…and that’s it. For me it’s sums the thing about Photography. You can either relate to Eugene’s Smith, Saul Leiter, Robert Frank, Walker Evans, August Sander and so many others obsession and way of life or choose the endless search all the other Photographer end up eventually.
There’s no right or wrong, or better and worse but theres a unique Rollin Banderob I would love to know through Photography, you know, isn’t what we try to do in a wedding? We try to see the human being in front of us, what make them “feel” for this life in this so small but very troubled planet. It’s so small that the other day two of my favorite photographers from these days had a coffee, and one of them writes amazing articles that I relate. Here’s one talking about the same things but of course in his unique perspective.
http://ground-glass.com/whats-wrong-with-wedding-photography-aka-the-iceland-problem/
We all have unique perspectives, we are all unique. And I discover through Andrew that he was interviewed here too. Andrew is a sort of Gertrude Stein with is own “collection”, interviews are fragments of life he collects.
Best wishes Rollin, thank you again for everything you made possible. Even if you don’t realize the impact of your “taste” 🙂 😉
I’m sorry about the english or any misinterpretation I might induce because of my poor writing, but I had to reply in a hurry.
Best wishes my friend.
João de Medeiros
What a beautiful and thoughtful reply Joao – you never fail to impress with your passion, thoughtfulness and honesty.
Maybe, no, hopefully one day, the three of us can share a meal, some wine and talk in person – I’d like that!
Whenever you mention a name, I go investigate Rollin and it’s always worth it – it’s how I came to interview Joao, thank you again for introducing us.
I’ve just had a glimpse at the work of William Albert Allard and am inspired all over again. Looking forward to checking the others and more of William’s work too. I first saw his name in the photo book video Joao linked to in the Members FB Group.
I’m with you in regard to Gabe’s engagement shoots and their relevance to real photography. Although they may not be in orchestrated or somewhat so, they still have a place in photography when done that well.
I absolutely loved this interview! I wish I had the premium version so I could hear the rest. So much of what João shared resonated with me. I love shooting in manual and am using it more and more in my work. Thanks Andrew, for putting together such fantastic interviews.
Blessings,
Amy
Amy, you have to hear the full interview with Joao! One of my all time favourite interviews.
Go grab the $1 trial membership and listen to the rest, you’ll love the rest of what Joao shares.
And seriously, if you cancel after only listening to Joao’s interview, that’s fine.
Although, I reckon you’d LOVE the interviews with Ian Weldon, Craig George, Cam Neville, Fer Jurist and Dean Dampney too – listen to them in the trial period too.
These few interviews just might change the course of your life. Seriously.
Here’s the link – https://photobizx.com/try
Thank you Amy! I’m glad you related. Best wishes!