Soon they'll be better than me....

I was working in the studio this morning with Sam and Mac underfoot when Sam asked if she could take my picture. Now, usually Sam just wants me to take picture of her so this was a new development. Daddy is naturally a little apprehensive about the 4-year-old and the 2-year-old when it comes to the expensive photographic equipment but they were both being good girls so I decided to risk it.

I set the camera up on a tripod with a remote trigger and showed Sam how to push the button (trickier than it sounds because if you forget to un-push the button you take about three pictures a second, which tends to be a little rough on the high-power strobes). Then, I oh-so-cautiously stepped away from the tripod and sat down on the stool.

Well, as you can see, she did just fine! She was even able to coax her sister into the picture (which is a rarety).

The big surprise, however, was that Mac was able to take a picture as well (without walking away and dragging my camera like a dog).

Booray Perry is a children's photographer in Tampa Bay who's kids are very smart!

Tampa Pet Photographer

Just in case you are wanting a picture of your dog and you're not sure if I do that sort of thing :)

Booray Perry is a pet photographer in Tampa bay

Tampa Children's Photographer

Last week I had a session in the park with Cayman. Cayman is all boy and his mom has more stamina than anyone I've ever met (Dad is serving in Iraq). I brought a chair along with me because I'm a big fan of "fish-out-of-water" photographs. I love this chair because it's small enough for kids and at the same time it looks like it belongs in some ad-executive's office.

Well, when Cayman arrived he was fast asleep so I put him in the chair. Photography, like all art, is subjective... you never know what you'll like, but I just love this picture.

Lucky for us, Cayman soon woke up and started doing what boys do best. We got some great shots and had a lot of fun.

Booray Perry is a childrens photographer in Tampa/St. Pete...

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