It’s been a long time since I last had my artwork professionally photographed. I’ve written before about my friend and photographer Jeff Baird, who died of lung cancer almost two years ago.
Digital cameras make it easy to take our own great pictures. Even technically-challenged moi can now set up a jewelry shot, touch it up a bit, and upload it to my online store or blog.
But sometimes you just need something more.
You need seriously good jury shots. Or a dynamite shot for a new ad. Or an image you can blow up to poster size and it still holds the detail.
That’s when you need the services of a good professional photographer. And I think I’ve found one!
Meet Ed Thomas, commercial photographer!
I met Ed when he and a friend started up the brand new Creative Professionals Guild of New Hampshire a year ago. Creative professionals encompasses all kinds of commercial artists: Photographers, graphic designers, illustrators, copy writers, and web designers. We just put on our very first show, “@Work, @Play”, and it’s already a huge success.
I first thought Ed might be my next photo guy when I saw this image he shot for Burdick Chocolate in Walpole, NH. I thought these were beautifully rusted keys. Nope. They’re chocolate!!
He offered to shoot my work, and I jumped at the chance to work with him.
My work is always a challenge to shoot the first time, but Ed jumped right in with skill and enthusiasm. Watching him work is amazing! I know how to fiddle around with my pictures. But he sees things I’m not even aware of until he points them out.
Yet he listened to my suggestions, even looking over what Jeff had done over the years. I found him easy to be with, good-humored and relaxed, yet efficient and detail-driven.
When we introduced ourselves at the first Guild meeting, I asked Ed what he felt his strengths were as a commercial photographer. He said, “I’m incredibly easy to get along with, and I’m a good listener. That’s really important when you’re going to spend a day in the studio with a photographer, working to get everything just right.” I can personally vouch for that!
Ed is experienced, his rates are reasonable, he’s just building his business here in Keene NH so he has openings in his schedule, and I personally vouch for him. He does clothing, food, portraits, product photography, landscapes, buildings–you name it, he does it. Give him a call when you need really great photography for those important marketing opportunities.
I’ve put in a few examples of Ed’s work. I’m very happy with our first session. I know there will be many more to come.
P.S. This is what I REALLY love about working with Ed. That fabulous rich rust colored background? It’s…. rust! A sheet of steel he bent to make that graduated-color look. We were looking for backgrounds and he pulled out a piece of steel, the back of which had rusted beautifully. I said, “Wow, that’s really cool lookin’!” He said, “Yeah! Let’s try it out!”
Luann Udell 
beautiful photos. Your work is amazing! And the pictures bring out the wonderfulness of your pieces.
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I know I could sure use a good professional photographer. Especially for my paintings! Thanks Luann
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You’re right, again. That background, the lighting – while we can do that a little with our own resources and cameras, I see your point about having professional photographs. The rust-coloured background really brings out the ochre tints on the sculptures; would you have seen that on your own?
I’ve had trouble with choosing display elements for my jewellery, maybe because I’m too close to the work to see links beyond it, and there is a remnant of museum training left in my brain which yells “context!” at me every time I try something new. I’m going to ask my artist friends for advice!
P.S. Love those little horses!
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