This month marks my tenth year in digital photography and 36 plus years as a full-time professional photographer. The experiences I have in photography has given me the tools needed, to be a photographer today.

History has taught us great lessons, but today’s new photographers (most are part-timers or stay at home moms) seem to only look at current trends, shoot for today – forget history. I have read many articles and blog posts, written by young photographers, and most of them look at traditional photography as a “dead art” with no place in today’s world. Is it because they are poorly trained, under experienced or under funded?

Current trends, lean towards everything looking candid and un-posed (sounds like a snapshot to me). Why take 2000 to 3000 images at a wedding when all they need is 85 good ones or take 200 plus high school senior poses to get 10, not great percentages. Many new photographers do not have a studio, professional lighting, sets, props or canvas backgrounds, everything is done in the backyard or some location. I have read articles that well designed and lighted portraits are referred as a grandpa or yesterdays style (often by a new photographer with no resources to buy equipment). Just because a new photographer uses a prosumer grade camera, (almost professional) and a couple of speed lights, does not make them a good photographer.

What worked yesterday will always be good for tomorrow
Everyone has a different need for photography, some want the instant use on facebook, but most still want a portrait displayed in a frame that will look like them years from now. History should not portray you with most of your face obscured from view because of some fad. A well exposed, properly focused photo that looks likes like you will survive the test of time.

A part of history is missing because some of my ancestors never had a studio picture taken. Some of the images that make up our family tree is represented by nothing more that a poor quality snapshot, where no features can be seen (very sad). Some of today’s styles such as lens flare remind me of the old dirty lens that obscured the image or the faded – off color Polaroid print. Is this how you want to be remembered?

I have many friends in this industry who have been around for 25 or more years. They shot a lot of film and planned each shot, because they only had one chance. They do not use today’s shot gun approach and take hundreds of pictures to get a few good ones. When selecting a photographer, select one who has experience, who offers many styles and has a strong traditional view.

My personal style is Modern-Traditional. I mix in several different styles when photographing, casual poses, head and shoulder poses, different backgrounds, clothing changes and locations if needed. Everything is customized but we keep to our traditional view points; sharp images, good use of professional lighting and great expressions that will last the test of time (that is why we have been around for 36 plus years).

Thirty six years as professional photographer has taught me that only the best studio equipment should be used. In the 1990′s many publications were telling photographers to prepare for digital, I started studying it in 1994. At that time there was not an affordable camera ($25,000 or more) or a good enough sensor to do portrait work. Early, in  2000′s digital photography was coming together for portrait photographers. There were Pro labs and high end inkjet printers for digital printing at an affordable cost. When Kodak released their Professional 760 digital camera ($7,500) in the winter of 2002, many film photographers went digital including myself. Today, I use the Canon 5D Mark II professional camera and when the Mark III comes out, hopefully in spring, we will upgrade. That is what a professional does, invest in the best equipment and training then records history.

Dennis Clayton

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