Member
Profile:
John Smallwood
All
photos © John Smallwood
Photography became part of my life at the perfect time. I was willing
to assist and learn from established photographers while digital was
in its infancy. Now more than half of my business is digital capture.
While I prefer film, it's nice to have the steep part of the learning
curve on digital behind me. The basics learned from the "good
old days of film" are invaluable.
While
not new to this business, I am to the Houston area. Having been an
ASMP member since 1993 and involved in commercial photography for
over 15 years, I realize that our business is evolving very quickly.
The current economy presents challenges that, I'm certain, we all
find overwhelming at times.
The
good news is: clients still love great images and will continue to
need our services. By participating in groups like ASMP, I believe
we can create a stronger business environment that will benefit both
photographers and clients.
Before
relocating to Houston I was in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where the business
Ralph Cole & John Smallwood, Photographers, LLC was born. Ralph,
another long-time ASMP member, and I shared a 7000 + square foot studio
and a full time staff for 6 years. The rewards of a great partnership
far outweigh the challenges that photography can create. Tulsa is
a very diverse market and it afforded me the opportunity to work on
a broad range of projects including corporate, advertising and editorial.
I1m very excited to now be in a large enough market to have an active
ASMP chapter!
With
stock photography being readily available to designers, it is so easy
for them to surf the web and plug the hole on the page. I'm not a
big fan of stock photography. An old friend of mine, who had a bad
experience with a large stock agency, said "If we could just
get everyone to burn every image in their files, then they would have
to hire us for assignments!" While I don't think we need to go
that far, I do think we need to pay particular attention to the way
the design community uses and acquires images, perhaps a topic for
an upcoming meeting?
If
you find it necessary for me to download my career details to you,
let's do so over lunch.
Anyway,
here are a few varied images. I am excited to be a Houstonian and
part of this creative community.
