VISION
My vision is centered around creating engaging art at least, and absolute "image magic" at best. To give clients a different perspective on life and themselves. To see their excitement when they realize what we have done, to connect with people through this unique medium and to help them form connections with each other and the world around them.
The name of my venture is "APERTUS"--latin for "to be open." This name reflects my mindset. I want my work to reflect a wide range of experience and background. When you browse my portfolio, I think you will recognize this. I love the human mosaic that this world offers, and I live to capture really special snapshots of that mosaic. This is what motivates me as an imagemaker.
I am also determined to use this venture as a force for charitable works (Go to my galleries to the Service Captured Project, the Goldenrod Showboat Project and the Jersey County Courtroom Project). I know this all sounds very naive, and in fact, I embrace that label. It probably has something to do with the life that I have lived and how I came to this point. So far, thanks to loyal support from dedicated clients, the reality of APERTUS IMAGES is very much in line with this stated mission.
Let me know what you are seeking, and I will tell you honestly whether I am the right photographer to fulfill your vision. I know lots of great photographers and love sending them referrals for areas that I am simply not passionate about. For instance, if you want sports images, I have just the guy for you (Click Here). If you need an amazing photographer for your wedding, the same applies (Click Here). I am not interested in these genres, and so I won't shoot them. So my promise to you is that if I choose to make images with you, you can be assured that my heart will be very much in the project, and that my professionalism and dedication will reflect that.
So please...tell me what you have in mind, and lets create some amazing images together.
A UNIQUE FEE SYSTEM
My most important goal is to create images that speak to me, and my clients as well. This is always foremost in my mind when I am talking to a prospective client. If after our discussion, I do not feel like I am the best photographer for your job, then I will be the first to tell you. I focus very much on quality and not quantity, and I want to make that clear.
I have really started to focus on senior pictures. I'm not saying that I won't consider doing family pictures, but I will probably just refer you to a friend if you ask. I believe that the following options accommodate most every senior's needs:
SENIOR PICTURES Advanced Session: $300
(3 hours / unlimited wardrobe changes / 30 images minimum)
SENIOR PICTURES Standard Session: $250
(2 hours / three wardrobe changes / 20 images minimum)
SENIOR PICTURES Mini Session: $200
(1 hour / two wardrobe changes / 10 images minimum)
*Keep in mind that my fees include OWNERSHIP OF YOUR IMAGES. They are yours to use as you please! Most photographers do not work this way
OTHER CATEGORIES
If the above categories are not compatible with your needs, just contact me with what you have in mind, and I will be happy to give you an estimate.
*Note: I accept cash, checks or PayPal. Payment is due on (or before) the day of the shoot.
My fees are incredibly reasonable. Here are three reasons why:
a) This fee includes everything--including all of the professionally edited, high resolution images and full access to those images. All of my work is edited to a very high standard. I am proficient with Photoshop, and no one is more meticulous than myself in this area. For every hour that I shoot, I spend 2 ½ -3 hours editing the images that we created together.
b) You will find that many photographers sell packages and the price of their photos is often quite high. You will also often find that your access to the images is limited. For instance, you may very well have to order all of your photos through that photographer. You might also be limited in terms of "sharing" those images on social media sites. All of this is completely understandable. I have no doubt that their motives are pure. Most notably, they want complete quality control, and this is admirable.
However, my philosophy is different. THE DIGITAL IMAGES THAT WE CREATE WILL BE YOURS FOREVER TO DO WITH WHATEVER YOU WOULD LIKE. I have absolutely no desire to control access to YOUR images, or take your order for two 8x10s, three 5x7s in a matte finish! You will have your own private gallery on this site (click on "Client Galleries" to see what I am talking about), and from that gallery, you will be able to download, use/share the photos digitally at your leisure, or order prints from Bay Photo (my pro lab). Because I don't make a dime from photo sales, the price of prints is quite low. This adds-up to substantial savings--particularly for things like senior pictures, where you will likely be ordering lots of prints.
I understand that there is a trade-off here. The downside is that I do not get to "quality check" all of the prints that my clients order. The upside, however, is that my clients have more freedom to order what they want, how and when they want it. The social media aspect is also a big plus. People love the fact that they can share their images at their leisure. All that I ask is that if the APERTUS emblem is branded on an image (always small and inconspicuous), that it not be removed when you post that image.
c) I do not bill customers for mileage. If I think that we will be a good fit, I will gladly travel to you. Most of the work that I do is in St. Louis, but I am always eager to explore new venues. I even do a fair amount of work in the Louisville and Salt Lake City area, though I do normally try to schedule several sessions over a long weekend when I do that.
I know that this is very different from how most photographers do business, but what else is new? :) I am not criticizing the way that anyone else operates. I am simply doing what works for me.
The best way to determine whether or not you would like to work with me is to take a look at my portfolio and the client galleries. I can go on and on about my vision, but if my actual images do nothing for you, then, you should look elsewhere. You might also want to take a look at my TESTIMONIAL section. There, you will find clients who describe their experiences with me. If after browsing these images and reading these testimonials, you find yourself wondering what it might be like to be in front of my lens, then we should talk!
You may contact me at at the phone number or email address located on the left side of the main page (next to my picture).
ADDITIONAL NOTES TO HELP YOU MAKE YOUR DECISION
QUANTITY vs. QUALITY:
If simply obtaining a large quantity of photos is your priority, then I am probably not the photographer for you. I am very much concerned about the quality of the images that I provide, in both technical and artistic terms. And while the technical is easier to control, the artistic is trickier. Add the “human aspect” (ie: Some people are more photogenic than others. Some people get more sleep than others. Some people have more "bad days" than others. All of these factors can have a tremendous impact on photographs) and things are further complicated. Don’t misunderstand what I mean by “complicated.” I absolutely love photographing people who aren’t photogenic (or people who aren't necessarily well-rested or having a great day)! The challenge of capturing ANY person’s personality, or even a person’s soul is what draws me to this profession. There is nothing like the feeling of someone telling me, in near tears, that the images that I created captured them or their loved ones better than anyone ever had previously.
That being said, one has to keep in mind that I am not a magician. A single session with a professional model might yield fifty amazing images. But if I was photographing myself (I am not a photogenic person), that same session might yield twenty. In my mind (and in the minds of most of my clients), they would rather have twenty exquisite images that truly capture something special, than 40 or 50 average ones. Of course, I will take hundreds of pictures during our session (normally 600-1000), but I am particular about what I select, edit and release. People who hire me love that about me. They trust my choices (after all, they ARE paying me for my expertise in making those choices) and they love that their gallery is full of incredible images that they can do with whatever they like. If you don’t tend to think in these terms, then you should find another lens. There are many great photographers out there!
CAPTURING SMILES vs. CAPTURING "REAL":
This section is mostly for those who would like me to photograph their children. I love photographing little ones, and I seem have a knack for it (so I have been told). But my strength is being able to capture who these little people are at a particular time in their lives. My goal is not to capture as many images of them smiling as I possibly can. I simply do not go into a session with this in mind. Will I most likely capture some shots of them smiling? Of course. But they will likely be surrounded by more images of them “being real.” This is how I measure a “successful” session with little ones. I am by no means implying that my philosophy is the correct one—only that it is mine, and that you should consider this when hiring me.
MY EDUCATION...MY TITLE...MY PERSPECTIVE:
I am not a professional photographer. I say that out of respect for people who spend years achieving various degrees in the field, and make their living doing this. Neither of those apply to me. I will always proudly label myself as an amateur freelance photographer. My degrees are in other areas, such as history and education. My lifelong work is as an educator of young people. My experiences include extensive travel, including two forays into a literal war zone. I believe that these degrees and my experience add an angle to my work that others can’t capture—just as those with other experiences will capture things that I cannot. The true test of our compatibility is how much my images speak to you. My work and style are uniquely MINE and I am dedicated to developing these to a very high degree. Speaking of style...
IT'S THE LIGHT!
In terms of style, I am primarily a natural light photographer. I would much rather go the extra mile to achieve that natural glow that only natural light can provide than just "pop a flash". It is not always the easiest route, but it is normally the best. One of the things that people often comment about is how nice skin tones look in my images. I would love to take credit for this, but it is the early morning light that is responsible, and most of my sessions are done eeeaaarrlllyyy in the morning. There is simply nothing like that light.