Portrait Photographers Academy

Ally Stuart-Ross

In this Podcast, Scotland based photographer Ally Stuart-Ross mentions that she became interested in selling things before she was interested in photography.  Single mom to four children, Ally's first paid photographic job was what she describes as "the wedding from hell", and there were many funny stories at weddings to follow, like dropping the brides bouquet out of a castle window in front of all the guests, and flooding a table with coffee at a reception. Her first "wee" camera she had at 7 years old, and discovered that she loved taking photos.  Ally was influenced by a photographer called Walter Kerr. She used to spend summers on a holiday island in Scotland and there was things going on everyday for kids to do. Bathing beauty, sand castle competitions, that sort of thing. Walter photographed everything and the next morning displayed them in his wife’s shop window. Everyone bought them and Ally thought this concept was brilliant. She felt it was literally printing money.

Chris Garbacz

Chris is a professional wedding photographer and has photographed weddings for the past 14 years. He has many amazing stories to tell about his previous entrepreneurial endeavours. Chris is also the founder of one of the most popular CRM's for photographers in Studio Ninja. Whatever the genre of photography, having the right software to track potential clients and present clients, is a must have to streamline a photography business.

David Williams

"David's father began photography in 1928, and although much of his life was corporate, he was able to pass on much to his son. Whilst David appreciates very much the natural look in portraiture, he also embraces the dramatic - no more so than in his black & white portraits. A portrait session with David often begins with what is called 'The Interview Portrait' where the subject is photographed during the course of a casual interaction designed to show more of the person's character. It is often after this that a series of 'asked for' portraits are made. Many people believe that the only good photograph is one where the subject is unaware of being photographed. But so much of looking great in portraits has to do with being comfortable with the photographer, then excellent lighting and compositional skills.  David's considerable experience, clear vision and directions help elicit the most flattering and striking portraits. " - from Beautifully Made Portraits by David Anthony Williams at https://www.davidanthonywilliams.com/link-HidgycZxWT/about-david-anthony-williams

Tony Rawson

Tony Rawson has been a professional portrait photographer for over 40 years. Photographing indoor and outdoor studio sessions, his home studio is located at beautiful Olinda, in Melbourne's Dandenong Ranges. He is also a pastor and regularly travels overseas to places like India to spread the word. He also owns and flies a small plane and often flies to his portrait appointments that may be in a different state. Tony’s experience and accommodating nature helps his clients feel at ease.  Tony is an awarded member of the Australian Institute of Professional Photography and to ensure the highest quality in family portrait photography, he uses the best high-end Canon cameras and prints on Kodak archival paper.

Eric Bern

The late Mayor of Sandy Springs, Eva Galambos, referred to Eric Bern Studio as "an institution in Sandy Springs. Eric's newest studio on Mt. Vernon Highwya is his 5th and most modern studio where his newest brand "Headshot Studio Atlanta" is keeping him busy photographing corporate headshots and location business photography for numerous companies around Atlanta. Eric moved to Atlanta in 1978 after graduating from Arizona State University majoring in Fine Art Photography and Broadcasting. In his first studio on Roswell Road I worked on "Cut Ups", 3 dimensional photographic acrylic cut outs of families having fun. This launched his career. With his Wife he made Sandy Springs  home and his married sons and grandson all live within a few miles of his home and studio. He was glad to have most of my life's work, recreation, family and friends all within the City of Sandy Springs. During college he began to photograph candid environmental black and white portraits and quickly built a reputation for these natural images. He had a dream to build a portrait studio business in a tightly knit community. After opening a studio with the "Cut Ups" brand he created a full service studio featuring canvas, acrylic, metal and wood mounted wall portraits along with custom designed albums of families and events.