• Photography

  Beyond a great eye, our greatest asset in photography is how we work with people…

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• Film & Video

  If a picture is worth a 1000 words…

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Beeler - Starting Off

As I mentioned before, around the age of eight, I would sneak my Mom’s 126 camera out of the house and shoot pictures around the Texas country side. When a birthday or other holiday rolled around, my Mom would be baffled that she was out of film. She’d be even more baffled when the pictures came back from the lab… I fessed up and was rewarded with my own little camera when Christmas came. When I was 15, I spent the summer working to buy my first 35mm and when my Mom was picking up enlargements from my first two rolls of film, the lady at the local camera store (who happened to be the owner) said, “These are really good.  Did you take them?”  My Mom said, “No, my son did.  He’s crazy about photography.”  “Do you think he’d want to work here?” Kismet. So, I began a vertical learning curve. By the time I was 17, I was running their professional lab, assisting several photographers, shooting stills on film sets, shooting for the school paper and yearbook and having success in several gallery showings. Everything I know, I learned on the job, from someone I worked with or from reading and experimenting. When my personal work led me to a point where I was being asked to shoot, I started shooting…. and the fact that people were offering money for this seemed, well… incredible.

My Approach to Photography & Video

Instead of trying to impose “my style” on the “subject”, I try to find the qualities of the individual, group or product and let that inform how we shoot: outdoor or studio, composition, ward-robe, all of it. To that end, I’ve developed a client worksheet to help us figure out what to do with the shoot. This will help you (and me) define your unique stories or essences. Unless I am given free reign to “play” and then it just depends on the variables going into the shot. And sometimes, it’s just fun to show up and play, see what happens.

On Shooting People (General)

My gifts, I believe, are several: I am good with people, adept at eliciting a brief and I have a good eye — the stuff that’s more ethereal, maybe can’t be taught, maybe it can.

I specialize in people.

People are naturally fascinating. I can go to the mall or a coffee shop and watch people for hours. When we are in our own skin, thinking our thoughts, we humans are fascinating. The art of shooting people is getting them to that place where they can be relaxed and in their skin, thinking their own thoughts. The art of doing that involves psychology, creativity, intuition, discipline, acute attention, understanding and a deep love for people (for which I thank my Mother whose heart was, indeed, the size of Texas).

The topography of the human landscape is always changing, so even if I photograph or video you on Monday, I’d be dealing with a potentially very different person by Wednesday — there’s the challenge; there’s the fun.

Some tribes in Africa used to think a photograph would take a person’s soul — that’s what you want to aim for in shooting people. If you can catch a person’s soul, then you’re good– very good. It’s what I aspire to.  And in telling the story of you and what you do, the more we can access that humanity, the more potent your story, the more it will “connect” with the humanity in those you are wanting to reach.

Marketing in a Big Ol' World

Here’s the problem: for many products and services the market place has grown to be world-wide, thanks to the digital revolution and that nifty little thing called the internet.  In the past, you might compete locally with a handful of competitors, but now there might be  hundreds — if not thousands — of other options for your end users.   Yikes!  So, how do you compete with that?

You don’t.

There is only one ‘you’, there is only one of your product.  Even if there are knock-offs out there.  The art is to define what it is about you, your product or service that makes it what it is, that makes it special. The thing that makes stars ‘stars’ is that they understand their personal uniqueness; that’s what builds their careers.

There are many good photographers in Los Angeles who will take great shots of you or your product and they’ll look good, but that’s not gonna cut it.  Many of these photographers shoot everybody the same way; nice shots, but cookie cutter – next same as the last.  Knowing what your product or service “does,” isn’t enough.  We also must know how it will make us “feel.”   That old reptilian brain, still does the lion’s share of driving when it comes to decision making and emotions are it’s GPS.  If the shots or footage doesn’t tell us how we feel about your product/service, your end-user might reach past your cool gizmo to your competitor’s.  Zoinks!

I try to tailor everything about the shoot to tell the unique story (or stories) about what you do. At the end of the day, you need a marketing tool that tells not only what you/your product/service looks like, but something about your being, or the inherent feeling with which your product/service will gift them.

Play is the essence of creativity. When I come together with a client and we both have a great time creating shots, that absolutely comes through.  If we are shooting a person, it’s in the eyes, the windows to our soul; if it’s a product, then I believe the heart and energy that goes into creating something, shines through, giving it a little something “extra” — almost illusory, yet descernible.

Commercial Work

The key to commercial photography and video is balancing the objectives of different people who have a good deal invested in the message (obviously the client and sometimes different departments within a client’s company– the agency, art director, producer, etc.) while forming enough space for inspiration to strike in the moment.  Usually more than enough thought has gone into “what’s the story” which can sometimes lead to over-thinking and second guessing.  I’ve seen some really cool concepts nearly come off the rails due to this.   So, being crystal clear about what the story is that we are shooting for and having a sense of ease and play are so useful to getting effective and compelling images in a high stakes arena.

Shooting for the Music Biz

One of the things I love about shooting for the music industry is that the parameters are looser — we could be shooting a high concept CD cover, a straight ahead A&R shot, a high energy pop band, a soulful jazz singer, a moody music video or high energy pop music video, etc. But, whatever the brief, it needs to fit and reflect the tone of the artist’s music.

I’m told that I have a knack for listening to someone’s music and tuning into that creative space where ideas come from. It is a wonderful process, a creative puzzle for me to find a “visual peg” to hang the hat on. And creatively brainstorming how we do that with a client is great fun — a delicious challenge. Somewhat like a songwriter writing, the creative ideas come, but you’re not quite sure from where. However, at the end of the day, it’s almost always about interpreting someone’s music into compelling visuals that resonate with the work, the artist and the artist’s style.  And sometimes the story in music shots is simply to translate the mood of the music into imagery whether the intended use is CD covers, tour posters, website shots, A&R or PR pics.

Editorial Work

The key here is to understand the editor’s brief and the style of the magazine / publication.  The question is: are we shooting a portrait, a concept or something else?  I also love to do “detail” shots as extras for possible side-bar use.

If it’s a editorial portrait, it is part “capture the person’s soul” and part “what are they doing in the world?” that people would find newsworthy. Part of what is fun about this, is eliciting what the story is we want to tell, brainstorming ways to tell it, matching some of those ideas with the right tone for the publication and then executing it in the timeframe given.

If it’s a concept shot, say for example, an editor / art director wants visuals for an article on pharmaceutical regulations: I might shoot a camel going through the eye of the needle with a giant capsule strapped to it’s back. Another possibility: a square pill being forced into a round hole. Unfortunately, these days, the editor / art director will most often pull a stock shot for this type of imagery rather than hiring a photographer.

To Aspiring Photographers

If I had advice to give to any aspiring photographers, it’d be to shoot, as much as you can.  When you feel you are ready — jump.  Great rewards come with risk.  I started doing it and have found my way…. and I’m continuing to find my way.  A great analogy: if I wanted to drive from LA to Boston and I had to do so driving only at night (so we could shoot during daylight hours, obviously), I’d only ever see the few hundred yards in front of me that my headlights could illuminate.  And so, by only seeing the next stretch of road, I would find my way across the country.  Even if you feel you are standing in the dark (perhaps you’re in a darkroom — old skool!), you only need to see to the next thing, and then the next.  Explore.  Play.  Get curious and allow yourself to really mess up, repeatedly.  That’s where growth and discovery lies.  That should never stop — it’s the artist’s path. So, get started!!

The root of the word courage is from the Latin “cor”, meaning “heart”. The heart is the seat of love; so, find your bliss and shoot that, shoot what you love, what makes you happy. As you do, your voice or style will emerge, then you’ll have something to market.  At that point, take a marketing and business class.  Or you can marry a woman with a masters degree in marketing. Which is what I did and I have to say I recommend it …highly.

Artisan Heart

There seems to be a growing desire for locally grown produce, for “craft” items.  Look at the success of Etsy which combines the reach of the internet with artisan goods.  It might be a response to all of the technology that infiltrates our lives, or it might a reaction to experiences such as shopping at big-box stores where good deals are to be found, but there doesn’t seem to be much soul.  At the heart of any business is the person or people who run it and what they are about.  And I can’t help but feel that some part of a marketing plan wants to include something about the people who make it happen.  Sure, for a lot of products/services, price may be the only relevant factor.  And yet, we all have experience of reaching past the cheapest one because we felt another one was better.  And sometimes, we don’t even know why, but we do it.  So, I like to encourage my clients to take pause, step back and reflect on what it was that drew them to wanting to “birth” their business into the world and what makes them want to continue “birthing it”. Birth is beautiful and expensive — it takes a lot of resource. And, what ever your business is, I absolutely appreciate the expense you have assumed in bringing it to life and keeping it going while it grows.  So, I would ask you to deeply consider this: “What is it, that beyond making money, you’d like your clients/vendors/end-users to take away?”  It’s usually a feeling or experience and it almost always reflects the values of the people making it.  When you find that, you are finding the heart of your business, the heart of what you do.  And when you operate and live from your heart, life flows, and amazing things happen. I believe that in tapping into the positive intention of your business, therein may lie success.  

Thanks for coming to check out my offering for Senior Portraits.

Congrats to you and your senior for reaching this milestone!  This is a great opportunity to capture who and where your senior is at this pivotal point in their lives.

I love connecting with people and having fun doing it. My easy relaxed demeanor helps my subjects relax and enjoy the session. There are several shoot options to choose from.  I look forward to creating some gorgeous legacy images for your senior and your family.

The Beach Session 

A sunset photo shoot (or sunrise). You will be my only beach session that day and get my full attention!

Time: 3 hour shoot. We’ll schedule your shoot about 2 hours before sunset (or 3/4 hour before sunrise) for the best and most flattering light (and less-crowded beaches).

Location: Your favorite beach within 25 miles of Sherman Oaks (further locations may incur an additional fee).

Creation fee: $840 to reserve your session date and time, and includes $500 to spend on prints, products, or digital files, which are purchased separately after the shoot.

This session includes:
• A Zoom or Phone consultation to plan your session
• A Personal Session Guide with prep tips, what to wear guide, and product guide • You can change outfits as many times as you want.

Mini Beach Session

This beach senior portrait experience is designed for smaller budgets and smaller senior picture needs.

Time: 1.5 hour shoot. We’ll schedule your shoot about an hour before sunset (or 1/2 hour before sunrise) for the best and most flattering light (and less-crowded beaches).

Location: Your session will take place about 1/2 to 1 hour before sunset at a beach that I choose.

Creation fee: $515 to reserve your session time includes $250 order credit to spend on prints, products, and digital files, which are purchased separately after the shoot.

This session includes:

• A Zoom or Phone consultation to plan your session
• A Personal Session Guide with prep tips, what to wear guide, and product guide
• One clothing change

Not a beach person? Cool!  There’s plenty of alternatives!

Walk in the Park

You can schedule a 1 hour session with 3 outfit changes at a local park.

Time: 2 hour shoot. We’ll schedule your shoot about 1 1/2 hours before sunset

Location: We’ll choose a convenient park.

Creation fee: $595 to reserve your session date and time, and includes $325 to spend on prints, products, or digital files, which are purchased separately after the shoot.

This session includes:

• A Zoom or Phone consultation to plan your session
• A Personal Session Guide with prep tips, what to wear guide, and product guide
• 3 clothing changes

Mini Walk in the Park

Time: 3/4 hour shoot. We’ll schedule your shoot about 1 hour before sunset

Location: A local park

Creation fee: $355 to reserve your session date and time, and includes $200 to spend on prints, products, or digital files, which are purchased separately after the shoot.

This session includes:

• A Zoom or Phone consultation to plan your session
• A Personal Session Guide with prep tips, what to wear guide, and product guide
• 1 clothing change

Studio Shoot

There are lots of cool studios available in LA – from large natural light all white studios to themed studios like “neon” or “rap” or “1970’s”.  When we plan your session, we can see if a photo studio would fit your style.

Time: 2.5 hour shoot. We’ll schedule your shoot during the day, if using natural studio light or day or evening if all indoor studio.

Location: Studio TBD

Creation fee: $725 to reserve your session date and time, and includes $350 to spend on prints, products, or digital files, which are purchased separately after the shoot.
Note: Studio rental is not included.  Rental fees begin at $25/hour and go up, depending on the space.

This session includes:

• A Zoom or Phone consultation to plan your session and consulting on which studio would fit vision and budget
• A Personal Session Guide with prep tips, what to wear guide, and product guide
• 6 clothing changes

Home Sweet Home

If you’d rather stay close to the nest, your own home can be a fantastic location for senior pictures.  Easy to change your outfits, snuggle with pets, and your senior will feel comfortable in their own space.

Time: 2 hour shoot. We’ll schedule your shoot about 2 hours before sunset

Location: Your place

Creation fee: $725 to reserve your session date and time, and includes $350 to spend on prints, products, or digital files, which are purchased separately after the shoot.

This session includes:

• A Zoom or Phone consultation to plan your session
• A Personal Session Guide with prep tips, what to wear guide, and product guide
• Change as often as you like — your clothes are close by.

Speed Session

For the senior that doesn’t like having their picture taken and just wants a few awesome professional photos. This QUICK (20 minutes) & EASY (painless – I promise!) senior photo session is what you want. 

Time: 20 minute shoot. We’ll schedule your shoot about 1 hour to 1/2 hour before sunset

Location: A local park (no beach)

Creation fee: $195 to reserve your session date and time, and includes $50 to spend on prints, products, or digital files which are purchased separately.

This session includes:

• A Zoom or Phone consultation to plan your session
• A Personal Session Guide with prep tips, what to wear guide, and product guide
• 1 clothing change

We’ll meet at a local park (no beach) for the photo session, and then you’ll get an email to an online proof gallery with 15-20 different images to select your favorite from (and order additional images if you want).

Session fee is just $235 and includes the session, online gallery to choose images from, + one fully retouched, printable digital image. You can also purchase additional digitals or prints, too.

Possible Additional Costs for All Shoots

• Hair/Makeup
• Studio Rental
• Retouching
• Travel 25 miles beyond Sherman Oaks

All bookings require a 20% deposit to reserve your shoot.