Name: Jason Comerford Business Name: Jason Comerford Photography
Website: www.jasoncomerford.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasoncomerfordphotography
Blog: http://jasoncomerford.zenfolio.com/blog
Twitter: @jason_comerford
How would you describe your business?
We're a husband and wife team, and we shoot mostly weddings and families. We find it's a pretty good set-up; when working with couples, Hannah will go with the gals and I'll start with the guys. Most folks are a bit more comfortable that way. When we work with families, I tend to do most of the shooting, and Hannah helps with lighting, organization, and even wrangling kiddos.
What’s your favorite part of the job?
Being a photographer was my lifelong dream, and, now that my dream is being realized, I find that the best part of it is working with people. I meet more wonderful, interesting people in a month of doing this job than in anything else I've ever done. A Brazilian model; an author publishing a political book; a man who designs flight landing paths; a couple combining Jewish and Quaker heritages in one unique wedding; a DJ named Freedom Noble (real name, too). I love getting to meet all types of individuals, and this job brings me into contact with people whom I wouldn't otherwise meet in my day-to-day life. I love it.
What inspired you to start your business?
I first remember wanting to do this when I was 12. I got my BFA in photography and spent time working at a portrait studio after my graduation. However, working at a portrait studio when you want to run your own business is akin to flipping burgers at McDonald's when you want to own your own restaurant. After a few years, the breaking point came. I sat down with my wife and we made the decision for me to quit and pursue my own business full-time. Hannah is also a professional editor and writer, so we both work from home, spending most of our time and talents in support of the business.
What are some of the pitfalls a bride can expect if they don’t hire a professional like yourself?
I'm a big believer in making informed decisions. There's a few big differences between an amateur photographer (even a good one) and a professional wedding photographer, and it's not just about the quality of photos.
· A professional is familiar with the ebb and flow of a wedding day. We have a good sense for how long a particular set of photos will take based on the number of people involved, the time of day, and your creative goals. We always meet with our clients before they even hire us, and we go over a tentative schedule to ensure they have a realistic expectation of the hours required for the photos they want. This isn't a sales tactic—we really do want our clients to be well informed. From there, we can finagle things to make the best use of time and budget. The photography can have a major impact on your schedule, and having a professional to help you navigate it can be invaluable.
· A professional knows how to handle a variety of lighting situations and locations. The color of the lighting, the venue, the height of the ceiling, the size of the room, the time of day, the color of the carpet, the number and dress of guests, even the lightbulbs—it all impacts photo quality. The wedding industry standard for quality is very, very high, and professionals spend years pushing themselves in accordance with that standard.
· A professional has the right equipment. I've spent years figuring out just the right gear. We're never compensating for any technical shortcomings; our gear is a collection of carefully chosen tools designed to meet the challenges of the wedding day. You could think of it this way: it's the difference between hitting an icy dirt road in your '93 minivan and barreling over it with your 4-wheel drive Subaru.
· A professional has a contract. I can't tell you how many teary brides have approached me the week (or day!) before the wedding, telling me their photographer friend has disappeared. They're now out $100 and have no one to photograph the ceremony. Our contract not only offers you a legal guarantee that we'll be there, it even makes provision for circumstances beyond our control. I break my legs a week before the wedding? You're either getting a full refund, or (more likely) I'm finding a comparable photographer to take my place for the money you paid us. We work hard to make sure our clients aren't left in the lurch in case of mishap.
· A professional has a developed workflow and time line for giving you your photos. Again, I've heard story after story of a friend getting paid to shoot the photos, then taking 18 months to get them the finished product. Most wedding photographers have a maximum return time of around eight weeks. Most of our clients see their wedding photos in less than six. Either way, your contract will give you a legal timeframe for when you can expect us to be finished.
· A professional can direct. Amateur photographers rarely know how to organize and set up groups of people. They often fail to take initiative, being passive when it comes to telling folks what to do. While not everything has to be a set up shot, there is a time and place for speaking loudly and organizing effectively.
If you could photograph any celebrity wedding (past, present, or future), who would be the lucky couple?
Pretty sure I'd die of sheer glee if I got to shoot Benedict Cumberbatch's wedding. Don't worry, I'm a consummate professional; he would get the photos before my glee-induced death.
