The start:
15 years ago, I decided I wanted to be a photographer and we never had internet, or blogs to read or DVDs to learn from like you do now.
So I went to Art School, and I dropped out of Art School because I was very much a technical person (I need to know the why), but it turned out instead that photography is a touchy emotional feeling, and I was looking to earn money out of a career rather than taking it as an art form.
Then I found a very small commercial photography program at a technical school; it wasn’t a big university. When I was in school, I started assisting photographers every chance I got. I did that for about 3 or 4 years; working for other photographers and studios. I did that while I was trying to building up my portfolio and building my business. It took me a lot of time and effort to do it.
My Style:
Clean and simple. I’m a great believer in content over technique. In my heart, I’m a photo journalist but I’m making my living from commercial photography.
How long have you been a professional photographer?
I’ve been a professional photographer, making a living from it, for around 7½ years.
How do you prepare for a photoshoot?
I usually take the mood from the clients; what they want in the pictures (urban or natural landscape, light, happy, dark, etc….). I also ask the clients to give me some pictures that they love and hate. I never copy those pictures, but I can get what they like and don’t like from them.
After that, I try to build the idea, physically through moving decoration around and putting on hip hop music to help me in my brain storming.
Your favorite lens / camera / equipment:
My favorite camera is the Nikon D3. My two favorite lenses are 35 mm F2 and the 105mm F2. For the lighting equipment, I have a whole bunch of Nikon flashes, SP80DX. For personal work I have mamiyaRZ67, I shoot film.
During Sessions how many photos do you take, to get the right one:
I average somewhere about 50 to 60 pictures an hour.
I have to make time, it is very important. Right now, I have a huge personal project that I’m preparing for.
Website to share:
www.aphotoeditor.com
Awards:
No, I’m not one for entering contests.
Last 4 Photoshoots:
One of them is my personal project.
Children’s clothing company (2 shoots)
Country band in the USA
My advice to new photographers:
Make the most of the equipment you have At the end of the day it’s not about what camera or equipment you have.
A word to your fans:
I am just a guy. I appreciate that I got connected to people and get respect from people. But honestly, I have a hard time with that, since I do not know how I got here, ‘coz I’m only doing my thing.
Word for LPMAG:
I wish you all the luck in the world - keep on keepin’ on!
Workshops and Photography training DVD:
http://www.OneLightWorkshop.com
Zack runs photography workshops and also has Photography training DVD, Check out his website for more info about the award Telly award winner "One Light DVD"
www.zackarias.com
email:
studio@zackarias.com
http://www.OneLightWorkshop.com
Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/usedfilm
