Tampa Bar Mitzvah Photographer

I was talking to a client yesterday about their upcoming Bar Mitzvah. They said that friends had recommended florists, DJ's and caterers but that no one had a photographer that they thought was worth a mention. I thought about that after they were gone and tried to figure out how that could happen. If I shoot an event and I don't get a feeling that the clients will be recommending me to their friends I will do whatever it takes to win them over. Referral business is so important with photographers but even more important with family photographers like myself.

A typical Brandon Bar Mitzvah photographer is certainly hoping to get a referral for a job well done but I want more than that. I want a referral, sure, but even more... I want your business for years to come. That Bar Mitzvah boy (or Bat Mitzvah girl) will need senior portraits in a few years, wedding portraits, maternity, etc and I want to be there for all of it. I've found that someone will recommend you if you do an adequate job but it takes an outstanding job before they will come to rely on you as an extended member of their family (like a doctor or nanny).

Why don't I specialize? It's certainly easier to just do one thing (like weddings). But I like the challenge of doing different things and I've found many times that I've learned something in one area (portraits) that will lend itself to another (weddings). Also, I was sitting with a client at a baseball game recently and I heard her say to a friend, "Booray is my photographer, I wouldn't think of going to someone else." Boy, did that make me feel good.... and you don't get that if you only see your customers once and move on to the next wedding.

Booray Perry is a Bar Mizvah and bat Mitzvah photographer in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Brandon and Clearwater.

Portrait Photographer St. Petersburg

Last Sunday we headed down to the beach for some mini-portrait sessions. If you haven't signed up for our newsletter yet, now's a good time because we are planning another beach session soon and are almost booked already.

The sessions were a lot of fun and St. Pete Beach didn't disappoint.

One of the images from the session last Sunday was very special. Two brothers, standing on the edge of the shore. I loved it so much that I went searching for a quote that I could use with it and I think I found a great one. When I showed this picture to the grandmother of the two boys she actually started crying!

Booray Perry is a portrait photographer in Tampa

Tampa Senior Portraits - Katie

I recently had the priviledge of photographing Katie, a senior at Gaither High School. Senior portraits are a lot of fun and Katie was no exception.

Booray Perry is a senior portrait photographer in Tampa

Tampa Children's Photographer: Have Chair, Will Travel.

Giselle brought her two boys for a portrait session this week. Giselle's husband, Luis, is serving in the military so she took advantage of my policy to photograph military families for free.

She brought the boys all dressed up in suits for a formal portrait. I'm not usually asked to do this kind of portrait, most people want more casual, "slice-of-life" stuff but I was up for the challenge. I even bought a new chair just for the occasion.

After we were done with the formal portrait, she changed the boys into casual clothes and I had some fun. Daniel, the 10-month-old was a dream and we were done with him in no time. Joseph, on the other hand just wasn't in the mood to have his picture taken so I suggested we go outside and let him play a while. Once he started having a good time it was easy to get some great shots!

Booray Perry is a children's photographer in Tampa

Tampa Wedding Photographer

Most brides have a general idea of what questions to ask a potential wedding photographer. The first (and most important) thing is: What's your style? If your wedding photographer doesn't have the same sensibility about wedding photo's as you do there's no point moving to question #2.

However, even after you have exhausted all the obvious questions about price, etc, there are still two that most people don't think to ask that can be very important:

1. Are you insured?
That's right. Your wedding photographer needs insurance. Let's suppose that old Aunt Edna with the bad eyes trips over the photographer's bag and breaks her hip. Her lawyer will tell her to sue the person with the best ability to pay and you can bet that your $500 Craig's List wedding photographer doesn't have a lot of money.

So she sues you.

Make sure your photographer has liability insurance (I carry a million dollars worth).

2. Do you bring back-ups?
There's no stopping the ceremony because your photographer's camera just died. Make sure he has a backup for every major piece of equipment (camera body, lens, flash, memory card).

The answers to these two questions will tell you if your photographer is serious about his profession or just trying to make some extra money and really, do you want the guy who is taking pictures of the most important day of your life to be doing it because he thinks it's an easy way to make some extra cash?

Booray Perry is a wedding photographer in Tampa

Just want to show off this cutie!

I had a session with Adia today who is getting ready to be baptized. Her mom is putting wallet sized pictures in the "favors" bag that the relatives will receive at the ceremony. Adia was in a good mood today and talking up a storm. Of course, she had a lot to comment on with me, her mom and Bobbi all hovering over her trying to get her attention long enough for the shot we wanted. We got a lot of great pictures from the session but this one is probably my favorite:

Booray Perry is a baby photographer in Tampa Bay.

Pictures for the family

More pictures of "The Most Photographed Children in the World" ©.

If any of my children are ever famous they should have no problem dealing with the paparazzi since Dad may, at any moment, decide to shoot a hundred pictures of them. Yesterday we made pumpkins and bats for Halloween. Bobbi cut out all the pieces we needed so we just had to glue everything together.

Sam isn't always happy to have Dad snapping away while she is trying to watch Dora....

I know it's bedtime but Daddy got new vinyl and he needs to check it and make sure it's seamless. So, everyone in the studio and I don't care that you're in your pajamas...

This picture is a great example of my philosophy with photographing children. Keep it simple, give them something to play with and wait. I love little kids with big clothes...

Booray perry is a photographer in Tampa Bay who exploits his children to further his knowledge.