nj editorial photographer Archives - New Jersey, Philadelphia, NYC Personal Branding, Commercial and Editorial Photographer

Editorial Photoshoot with Mira Mizrahi, CFP in Whippany, NJ for Proactive Advisor Magazine

February 21, 2020/0 Comments/in Editorial /by Deirdre Ryan

Here’s another editorial photoshoot I did for Proactive Advisor Magazine. If you’re not familiar with this publication, it’s mainly directed towards those in the financial planning industries. I had never heard of them until they contacted me to photograph people for their articles that were close to where I’m located.

I like to make sure that these clients are comfortable and relaxed. I talk to them, get to know who they are, some really don’t like having their pictures taken, while some are complete naturals. Like I’ve mentioned before, it’s not easy to be in front of a camera with lighting pointed right at you.

Here is the cover for this shoot with Mira Mizrahi, CFP at her firm called Diversified Financial Consultants, LLC located up in Whippany, NJ. It was a bit of a hike to get there, but as with all of these assignments, well worth it. Going on location is both a challenge and rewarding with the people I get to meet and places I’ve sometimes never been to. Mira was another gem to chat with while photographing her. The staff in the firm were really nice and even fed me lunch afterward.

As you can see, they cropped the photo to focus on her beautiful smile and face.

And here is what it looked like before the image was cropped:

Getting people to laugh is one of my favorite things to do.

Here is what the magazine would like folded in half to be mailed out:

As you can see, I like to include a few different options for the publication, and allow space for the designers to work with when they are editing the layout. I have a background in graphic design, so I understand how important it is to have enough space to work with, especially if you need to crop or add type as an overlay.

The image below was used but was cropped(I cropped it more the way that I like it), you can see it on the link to the article posted. Working with reflective items, such as windows, framed artwork or degrees/certifications, always presents a challenge. If I can, I try and avoid them or use other tricks, but if I can’t I tend to retouch. Not the best image, but I thought that her smile was great, and so I submitted it. Many times, publications will end up retouching images to suit their needs. Not every picture is perfect 🙂Below is one of my favorites, it was the last one, and I wanted a portrait of her just being natural.

If you would like to read her article and see how the rest of my images are used, please click on this link http://proactiveadvisormagazine.com/mira-mizrahi-committed-to-clients-personal-success/

Thanks again to Proactive Advisor Magazine and Mira for a great time!

Photographing Haddon Financial Solutions for Proactive Advisor Magazine

October 17, 2019/0 Comments/in Business Portraits, Editorial /by Deirdre Ryan

David Chalmers and Keith Herman are the faces of Haddon Financial Solutions are located in Haddon, NJ. When I’m shooting for a publication, I tend to shoot with a lot of space for any type that is needed or if they need to crop in closer. With Proactive Advisor Magazine and others, they have a printed magazine, then they have the articles online. I provide quite a few images and they choose the best ones that are suited for their needs. Here I’ve chosen my favorites.

The process is simple and straightforward enough. I get an email for the assignment, to see if I’m available, then an introduction is made to their client. I then reach out and make arrangements with the client as the time for the photoshoot. This is also the time that I choose to get to know them, offer suggestions on what to wear, often they’ve had their pictures taken for articles before, while sometimes they haven’t and they need reassurances that this will be ok.

If I’m able to, I scout the location. But much of the time, I’m not, so I do a quick Google search, check out the building if I can, and go in as light as I’m able but prepared for anything. My goal here is to make everyone look relaxed within the environment that they work in with their own clients. If I can and there’s time, I take them outside. Being quick, polite, a good sense of humor, and professional to make everyone feel comfortable will ensure that I’ll get the best images possible.

For this day, I completely overpacked, but I used 2 lights in each office, the main was a Flashpoint 600 Xplor with a Softlighter II and the other was another with a small Westcott 1×2 Rapidbox Switch Modifier Softbox. For the outside, I only used the Flashpoint 600 Xplor with a Softlighter II. My camera is the Canon Mark 5D III and I used the Canon 24-70mm f2.8 L IS lens and the Canon 70-700mm f2.8 L non-IS lens.
http://proactiveadvisormagazine.com/chalmers-herman-committed-to-a-high-standard-of-professionalism/

http://proactiveadvisormagazine.com/target-segments-provide-opportunities-for-client-development/

Want to chat and find out more about Deirdre offers? Click here to contact her!

A Financial Advisor, Boats and A Summer Day for An Editorial Magazine Article and Cover

November 15, 2017/0 Comments/in Editorial, Headshots /by Deirdre Ryan

I was called over the summer to photograph Douglas Bauerband in Toms River, NJ for a financial magazine called Proactive Advisor Magazine. I had never heard of them, however they had found me through Google and thought that I would be a good fit since I lived fairly close by. Going on location for an environmental editorial portrait photoshoot is what I’m known for so they gave me the specs that they needed for the article, how many images they needed and how they were planning on using them for the magazine and online. They were very detailed and organized, and I scheduled the shoot with Doug and took it from there.

We discussed what they were looking for, and I suggested some clothing options. I wasn’t sure what to expect so I went with a few ideas in mind. I knew getting some photos inside was one, but I really wanted to go outside too. And of course it was a hot, muggy day by the shore.

Once I got there for the time scheduled, there wasn’t too much outside. However across the street was a harbor with boats docked. Doug was super nice and so was his assistant. He came prepared with some options that we discussed. I setup my wireless Canon 600RT EX flashes with the Westcott Rapid Boxes and we got started quickly.

I understand that with layout and design, they needed a few options with vertical and horizontal options. I also intentionally did not crop these because I knew that the designers already had an idea of what they wanted and would need room for the fonts and other design elements.

I had him try a few things, with and without the tie, with and without smiling. But he’s the kind of person that is a naturally happy person, so I prefer the ones of him smiling.

Afterwards, Doug was completely up for going outside for more shots. The only spot of green that we found in the parking lot that had ok lighting was underneath this tree. The sun was by now right above us. I didn’t have an assistant to hold anything to diffuse the harsh light.

So then I suggested the marina across the street and he was like sure! So we hopped into my car, braved some traffic and asked the guys there if it was okay that we took some pictures there for a magazine editorial, they said sure. I set up one Canon 600EX RT flash wirelessly and we started. I decided to have the light work with me and made him pretend that the boats were his.

The last shot Doug wanted, so I said sure and that was it for the session.

Afterwards, we took a quick fun selfie and we went back to his office where I packed up the rest of my gear and headed back to my office, edited the files and sent them to my client as full sized Tifs for them to download from my Photoshelter account.

Doug’s interview was published in early October, below is the cover and right underneath is the link the the article.

Helping clients achieve three key principles for retirement success by David Wismer | Oct 11, 2017 | Advisor Interviews

Thank you Doug for totally ROCKING your photoshoot with me! We had a lot of fun together and thank you Proactive Advisor Magazine!

I really loved how these images represented Doug for his business and branding.

Photography Paperwork – Model Releases

September 13, 2017/0 Comments/in Photography Business /by Deirdre Ryan

As a professional photographer, I have an amazing amount of paperwork that I need to have done for each one of my clients, whether a single headshot or a large complicated 2 day photoshoot. This doesn’t include the back and forth emails, texts and phone calls.

Part of my paperwork that I include is a Model Release. But what is this Model Release?

A model release form is a legal document between me, the photographer, and the person or the people, that I’m photographing. At the most basic, it’s a formal written document of their permission allowing me to publish their image on my website, blog, and marketing materials. It also releases the model(s) from any form of future compensation made from any images that they appear in.

Okay this sounds good, but do I really need to have my clients sign one each time?

For me, I give my clients a choice, if it’s a personal photoshoot, they have the option of not signing. And I will respect whatever decision they make, and often times will not put the images on my website, blog, and marketing materials. BUT having them sign, will protect me against any possible civil liability lawsuits in the future. The release protects everyone involved, including the clients being photographed. If it’s for a commercial client, they will sign, and they will also have their own too.

If I decide to license any of the images at a later date, then it’s important, but I don’t do this because I like to let my clients know ahead of time. And if I do anything that can be licensed, then I would make the photoshoot just for the sake of this, to sell the images as Royalty Free stock images. So far I have yet to do anything like this, just a personal choice at this point in time.

For certain things like the images I did for The Women’s March in Washington, D.C., I am using these as editorial, like for a newspaper. I was part of UniteWomen and had a Press Pass to take these images.

Power Up! Consulting

For these, I had a model release, because I was not only photographing them for their branding, but I wanted to use them on my website. I’m not going to use these as stock images, but if there’s a problem where the images are stolen off of my site, I have further proof that I took them.

My friend Lisa, She’s Losing It.com

For my clients NJPAC and Burlington Coat Factory, I was hired to photograph their events. The same thing, I’m not going to sell these images, but the release protects everyone.

Here are some additional links for more information about model releases:

What You Need To Know ABout Model Releases

FAQs About Model Releases -ASMP

If you’re still unclear, my advise is to find a lawyer, and talk to them about this, as I’m not a lawyer, nor do I even pretend to play one anywhere, even on tv.

It’s complicated and crazy, I know. But who wants to get into anything messy and expensive when we can prevent it with a written document? Then there’s Property Releases, those give me permission to photograph on certain properties, and then whoever signs it, cannot sue or receive any future compensations from images created on said properties. There’s more, but that’s kind of it in a tiny nutshell.

I hope that this post helps clear up the confusion and we can get on with our photoshoots. Thanks!

Homeowners open doors for house tour In Bordentown City during the Holiday Season

December 24, 2014/0 Comments/in Photojournalism, The Register News /by Deirdre Ryan Commercial Photography

On December 13th, 2014 the Bordentown Historical Society sponsored the Annual Holiday House Tour. Local residents in Bordentown City opened their private homes fully decorated for the holidays so that visitors could walk through them. About 250 tickets were sold for the self guided and guided tour. The homes were open from 3:30 to 8:30PM. These were photographed for The Register News.