Business For Photographers 9-26-07
Interviewed by Amy Schromm
This paper reviews my interview with a professional photographer in the industry I want to have my career in. I interviewed James Merietto at Rushwade2. He specializes’ in lifestyle photography at a professional commercial studio. The studio has a very long client list and has done some very big names. Although I do not want to be the photographer I want to be involved in the production side of a commercial advertising studio.
James started off working as hard as he could. He transferred to UCM to get a degree in photography. He took many photography classes. During this times he interned almost full time at Rushwade2. In-between he shoot as much as he could. Many times he would spend the night at the studio and wake up early to work hard all over again. After a year of this he got hired as a photographer, which is very unusual but he proved himself.
He started off doing probono projects, and still does but the only way he will do it is if it benefits him and not only the client. He would choose clients that would expand his portfolio book and the style he photographed. The investments he makes is doing work for free to build relationships that will give future work and network to other clients and designers. To advertise Rushwade2’s work they feature their stuff in Workbook, Blackbook, Archivs and direct mail pieces. They also have an email blast once a month.
When I asked him about creative freedom he said it is half and half. Depending on who the art director is they might have more creative freedom some times than others. James has had many photography influences. The two other photographers at the studio influenced him greatly. There name are Lyndon and Lyndsey Wade. Also, he met a photographer at a workshop in Santa Fe who has influenced him Her name is Stephanie Rausser.
They mainly use two types of camera’s. The use the Haselblad h2 phone1 TS. This camera is the most amazing camera I have ever seen in my life. The also use the Canon 1DS Mark2. For the Canon they use the 50mm 1.4 lens most often.
Rushwade2 was gained a lot of work in the past couple years from all across the United States and will continue too grow in the near future.
