SouthLight Associates, Inc.
About
Unlike most photographers, I have made my living exclusively as a photographer my entire career. All of my work is shot for for national and international clients and advertising agencies. I can get any layperson, hobbyist or beginner past a lengthy learning curve, very quickly. I can help a student to apply real world knowlege to improve their composition, lighting and technical abilities.
I love the flexibility my life and career afford me. I have traveled the world on my clients' nickels. I have met amazing people and seen amazing things. And I get paid while doing it.
I can help any student take better photos for themselves, but I can also show a student ways in which their passions and talents can open doors and pay bills.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
It depends on their current level of experience, which will establish whether we start with the basics, or jump ahead to more creative topics. My goal is to quickly advance a student past typical hurdles and learning curves, vastly improving their images.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I was self taught in 8th grade. I read books about processing film and prints, I built a darkroom with my dad at 13 and spent all of my birthday and Christmas cash on photo gear. In high school, I became a teacher's assistant in the photography department. After high school, I studied advertising photography at the New Engand School of Photography in Boston. I assisted several Boston photographers before moving to Miami in 1991 to persue a career in advertising lifestyle photography. Since the mid 90's, I have traveded everywhere, shooting for clients such as; Marriott, Hilton, Ritz Carlton, NCL, Regent Cruises, Jack Daniels and Timex, to name a few. In 2018, once our youngest went away to college, my wife and I moved back to New England. Covid has kept me from being able to travel and this is a way to keep me busy and creative... and means to meet and help nice people with an interest in photography!
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I charge $100 for a full hour of lessons. This does not include travel time, which is billed at $25 p/hr after the first 15 minutes and is prorated.
How did you get started teaching?
I am a guest speaker for all graduating photography students at the NH Institute of Art.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Make sure the person teaching you is someone whose work inspires you. A teacher can only lift someone to their level... it is your responsibility to take your path forward from there. As such, make sure you work with someone who can take you pretty far down that path before you need to part ways.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
1) Reasons: Why do I want to be better? Do I want to make a career of photography? Do I just want to take better photos? Do I want to know how to shoot manually?
2) Goals: Where do I want to be a month from now creatively?... a year?
3) Areas of Study: Are you more interested in how lens choice and aperture affect the look of an image? Do you want to know about lighting? Natural? Strobe? Where do you feel you need more knowledge?