FM Portraits of Silver Spring
FM Portraits of Silver Spring
815 Thayer Avenue
#1002
Silver Spring, MD 20910
815 Thayer Avenue
#1002
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Silver Spring portrait photographer using only natural light for soft, lovely portraits
I shoot only with natural light. I love it. It's gorgeous, artistic...and very easy to use. I had to learn how to use it starting out...and I haven't strayed too far from my roots! I also have a children's photography business, called Bear Bear Photography.
Keywords: portrait, photographer, portrait photographer, natural light
I shoot only with natural light. I love it. It's gorgeous, artistic...and very easy to use. I had to learn how to use it starting out...and I haven't strayed too far from my roots! I also have a children's photography business, called Bear Bear Photography.
Keywords: portrait, photographer, portrait photographer, natural light
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Interview Q&A
How long have you been in business?
I have been a photographer since 1992, and I have a Professional Photography Certificate from the New York Institute of Photography.
What is your primary product or service?
I offer portrait photography using natural light, for soft, flattering portraits.
How did you first become interested in your line of business? (if owner) - What is your background? (If owner or store manager)
I had a friend who was interested in photography in the early 90s, and it took off from there. I also have a business degree, which I got long before I became a photographer, so that helped a lot.
How do you differentiate yourself from other businesses in your category and area?
I can be very playful, so that helps with photographing kids. My child photography business is called Bear Bear Photography (bearbearphotography.webstarts.com). I also have the parents do things like be my "photo assistant," which helps the children relax - so we get better pictures! With adults, I understand how nerve-wracking having a portrait made can be, so I think of ways to set my client at ease. I offer convenient ways to get prints: I offer a CD of 50 pictures - 25 color, and 25 black and white. I open a free Shutterfly.com account for clients, and I include a package of high-quality photo paper, for home printing. Plus I sneak in a batch of my "special-famous" fudge...which, I'm told, is awesome. (I didn't say that!) I just do everything I can to make the whole process fun, and easy for the customer.
How many locations do you have and do you have plans to expand?
I have a home studio, but I'll also go to a location the client likes. I don't plan to "expand," per se; I'm happy with my current setup.
Provide detailed directions to your location
I'm in downtown Silver Spring, and I will give the customers directions to my home studio if they wish to have the session there. I can also pick them up from the Silver Spring Metro.
What type of payments do you accept?
Cash, check, and money order. I don't currently accept online payments because I'm very wary of having customers put their financial information online to pay for this. if that makes me "old school," fine. If that keeps your financial information safe, that's even better.
Which areas do you service?
Montgomery County, PG County, the District, Arlington County, and Fairfax County.
Who owns your company or runs daily operations?
I do. I like being very hands-on with everything. I may hire a photo assistant and an office manager eventually.
What are your hours of operation?
I work Monday-Friday noon-6pm, and weekends noon-6pm. I'd like to add that It is VERY important for the session to start on time, since I use natural light. You lose light very quickly, so the customer needs to arrive anywhere from half an hour to an hour before the estimated session time. I don't rush things during a session, but starting on time is crucial. If we book your session for 1:30, it's best to get there by 1:00 at the latest. I also book only one customer per day, so I'm not trying to anyone else in that day. I'm all yours!
What is the best compliment anyone can give you?
When a customer tells me long after the session that he or she still loves the picture. That tells me that I do work people like, and it tells me that great portraits are timeless.
What is your favorite quote or Bible verse?
I don't necessarily have one, but I do have a philosophy: be grateful for every day you get, every step you take, and every movement you make. Photography is a very physical business - you're always moving, talking, thinking on your feet, etc. But I'm grateful to be able to move because I got hit by a car in 1994, and I had major surgery on both my feet in 2010 and 2011. With the car accident, luckily, I wasn't seriously hurt. And with the foot surgery, I was on crutches, a walker, a wheelchair, a medical boot, and a cane both times. So to me, it's coolest thing just to be able to wiggle your fingers, or walk somewhere unaided. Enjoy moving!
I have been a photographer since 1992, and I have a Professional Photography Certificate from the New York Institute of Photography.
What is your primary product or service?
I offer portrait photography using natural light, for soft, flattering portraits.
How did you first become interested in your line of business? (if owner) - What is your background? (If owner or store manager)
I had a friend who was interested in photography in the early 90s, and it took off from there. I also have a business degree, which I got long before I became a photographer, so that helped a lot.
How do you differentiate yourself from other businesses in your category and area?
I can be very playful, so that helps with photographing kids. My child photography business is called Bear Bear Photography (bearbearphotography.webstarts.com). I also have the parents do things like be my "photo assistant," which helps the children relax - so we get better pictures! With adults, I understand how nerve-wracking having a portrait made can be, so I think of ways to set my client at ease. I offer convenient ways to get prints: I offer a CD of 50 pictures - 25 color, and 25 black and white. I open a free Shutterfly.com account for clients, and I include a package of high-quality photo paper, for home printing. Plus I sneak in a batch of my "special-famous" fudge...which, I'm told, is awesome. (I didn't say that!) I just do everything I can to make the whole process fun, and easy for the customer.
How many locations do you have and do you have plans to expand?
I have a home studio, but I'll also go to a location the client likes. I don't plan to "expand," per se; I'm happy with my current setup.
Provide detailed directions to your location
I'm in downtown Silver Spring, and I will give the customers directions to my home studio if they wish to have the session there. I can also pick them up from the Silver Spring Metro.
What type of payments do you accept?
Cash, check, and money order. I don't currently accept online payments because I'm very wary of having customers put their financial information online to pay for this. if that makes me "old school," fine. If that keeps your financial information safe, that's even better.
Which areas do you service?
Montgomery County, PG County, the District, Arlington County, and Fairfax County.
Who owns your company or runs daily operations?
I do. I like being very hands-on with everything. I may hire a photo assistant and an office manager eventually.
What are your hours of operation?
I work Monday-Friday noon-6pm, and weekends noon-6pm. I'd like to add that It is VERY important for the session to start on time, since I use natural light. You lose light very quickly, so the customer needs to arrive anywhere from half an hour to an hour before the estimated session time. I don't rush things during a session, but starting on time is crucial. If we book your session for 1:30, it's best to get there by 1:00 at the latest. I also book only one customer per day, so I'm not trying to anyone else in that day. I'm all yours!
What is the best compliment anyone can give you?
When a customer tells me long after the session that he or she still loves the picture. That tells me that I do work people like, and it tells me that great portraits are timeless.
What is your favorite quote or Bible verse?
I don't necessarily have one, but I do have a philosophy: be grateful for every day you get, every step you take, and every movement you make. Photography is a very physical business - you're always moving, talking, thinking on your feet, etc. But I'm grateful to be able to move because I got hit by a car in 1994, and I had major surgery on both my feet in 2010 and 2011. With the car accident, luckily, I wasn't seriously hurt. And with the foot surgery, I was on crutches, a walker, a wheelchair, a medical boot, and a cane both times. So to me, it's coolest thing just to be able to wiggle your fingers, or walk somewhere unaided. Enjoy moving!
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