What you need is a camera. Then you need a backdrop. Go to the aforementioned Wal*Mart and buy a cheap, full-size sheet in any color for less than $3. Next, wait for a nice, cloudy day. You just want it cloudy, not raining. Hang the sheet on the outside wall of your home as a backdrop. Line your kids in front of it. If your camera flash supports it, set it to “fill” by dropping the flash setting to about minus 1/2 to 1/4. Then take the portrait. You now have a shot almost as good as what you are paying a generic mall-studio to take.

Why am I telling you this? Because there is a reason that Owen Mills and many similar mall studios can hire and train any monkey to take portraits. The reason: It takes little or no training. Oh, the “photographer” might need to adjust the focus a bit or even put in a different background, but in the end, they do very little that is different of unique. A real “photographer” is someone who has some knowledge about lighting, composition, and equipment as well as an “artistic eye” that makes each and every photo special.

So next time you are thinking “I’ll go to Wal*Mart for portraits because it is cheaper” remember they are charging you for something you can do on your own for much, much cheaper. If, however, you want professional images of artistic merit and that are memorable, consider a non-mall photographer. We deliver so much more at prices that really are competitive.

Now, here is the problem with art snobs. Most of them are highly educated. Most of them have studied a great deal about art. All of them are very closed minded. And they are disallowing themselves from the enjoyment of art as an artform. Their biggest problem is they have a narrow opinion of what defines art and anything that is not dead center is not art. Alas, the truth could not be further away from these poor people. Unfortunately, they do exist. So how do you handle them?

The answer is simple: either ignore them or continue to antagonize them. In the time I spend of photographer forums, I have seen a lot of newcomers ask questions only to have some art snob blast the poor person for no other reason than they have nothing better to say. It is sad when an artist becomes a snob. Why? Because it generally means that the artist has little belief in their own abilities. There is also the territorial instinct. The artist snob sees someone who is competition and instantly squashes that person. And, of course, there is the “I’m too good to actually spend time helping you improve so I’ll waste my time being mean.” Photographers especially can get very mean.

It is my opinion, and that is all it is, that a true artist relishes the role of mentor. An artist/mentor is much like a parent. There is no surer way of continuing your style than bringing up someone in your own methodology and style. Sure, the student will eventually develop his/her own style, but your teachings will always reflect in that style in a small way.

I keep this in mind any time someone asks me for help - on anything.

Then there are those who understand light, but not shadow. They put models behind studio lights and never change or adjust the lighting. They photos are technically decent, but there is zero creativity behind them. These guys could have a great career as Wal*Mart photographers.

And the last one is a personal pet peeve of mine: A beautiful model in lingerie in the wilderness. What is up with this? Where in the world do women stroll through the desert or a forest wearing only their panties and a bra? I wanna know so I can see it for myself. A swimsuit is okay. Nude is okay. But lingerie? There is a market for this, but I really just can’t understand why. It just strikes me as silly, cheesy, and contrived.

So, before you get after me about blasting poor photographers on MM, let me say that there are plenty of very, very good and creative photographers there as well - with a great range of styles. With such a great variety of models and photographers, I feel considerably more comfortable there with my style of photography than I do at either MioTalent.com (cliquish and glamour oriented) or OneModelPlace.com (mostly glamour, but not completely). MM has a great sense of community that the other two lack. It strikes me as a nice place to be.

Now don’t get me wrong here for I know a lot of people in various occupations who have won awards for all kinds of things and these people are quite proud of them. My hat - well, if I wore a hat - is off to them. Congratulations! Really. I mean it. But it has been my experience that, more often than not, awards are simply a matter of playing politics and promotion. They have less to do with skill than popularity.

In art, popularity is rarely the sign of artistry. Most true artists are too busy creating to worry about winning accolades. As a matter of fact, it is the creation that is the reward - the release of the demons that torment us. Yes, artists are tormented. Not every demon is out to destroy the artist - but it does inspire and spur the artist to create. If someone wants to give us an award, great, but true artists are less concerned with awards than they are about the most important thing - to make something that is memorable.

The trend I’ve noticed over the last 20 or so years is to create something that can win an award. Why? Because the award offers prestige. It doesn’t necessarily mean the work is the best. Too many artists these days strive for this - from painting to music to writing to photography. Tell me this though, which would a writer rather have: a prestigious award or a best-selling novel? The answer: most writers would rather have the best-selling novel - especially when it comes time to pay the bills. Besides, the best reward any artist can have in any field is the knowledge that their work is appreciated by people, not a panel of judges sequestered in a room reading manuscripts or surveying photographs.  Still, while awards are nice, they are not something I personally covet. The appreciation of an email, letter or phone call saying “wow, I love the pictures you took of me/my children/my family/etc.” are far more satisfying.

As a photographer, I don’t try to please the masses and I couldn’t care less about a judge in some far away city. I try to please the individual. That is far more important to me than winning a contest or an award. The smiles and the “oohs and ahhs” of someone looking at an exceptional photo is what makes this whole job worth it. It is my (not-so) humble opinion that this is what inspires the best photographers. It is what inspires me.

A lot of individuals are hesitant to hire a new photographer. You don’t buy a car without test driving it first - right? So why can’t you “test drive” the photographer first. So I’m thinking about having a “test drive” session from 4-6 PM on Friday, May 2nd, at Louis Emery County Park, just east of the town of Hillsdale on State Road. The idea is that I will take a couple of shots of those people who are interested in hiring me, but want to see what I can do for them. So, whether you are looking for a portrait photographer or a chance to do some modeling, this is a great, informal chance for us to meet and to have some of your questions answered.

There are a couple of small rules of course. First, you will need to sign a model release for the images allowing me to use the shots in my portfolio. This is not my standard generic model release as these photos will not be used elsewhere. Because of this, comes rule 2: You need to be either 18 years or older with a valid photo ID or have a parent/legal guardian with you. It will help me if you drop me an email at pywrit@msn.com saying you will be there, but not mandatory.

But, on a more serious note, this is the time to start making plans for hiring a photographer for the summer months if you have not already done so. The kids will be out of school. There is fun to be had whether it is camping or hanging out in the park. There are cars to wash and gardens to tend. All can be wonderful photographic settings. There are weddings taking place and family reunions.

Speaking of family reunions - what better time to get photos of the event along with portraits of everyone who attends - in all their radiant, maddening, goofy, fun-loving, silly, happy, sad moments. The price for a Family Reunion Session starts at $300. You can find out more details by clicking here.