How would you describe the Tammy Factor? What makes your style so unique?

Everybody sees the world a little bit differently, and photography is an amazing way to capture a person’s particular point of view. Me, I see emotion, and relationship, and…humanness…those instances in which we let our guard down and really connect with one another, ourselves and the moment. A lot of times I will catch moments that are fleeting, that fly by unnoticed by most, but that are full of the light and laughter and spirit of what is going on that day.
My portrait style really could be described as “lifestyle.” I like to get people interacting, so that their images become about them and how they are in real life, rather than just stiff, posed unnatural snapshots of faces.

It’s all about YOU, really, and all the energy, life and emotion that comes with you. I am never a “fly-on-the-wall” photographer.  Whatever I’m shooting, from portrait sessions to weddings, I am right there with you, in the middle of everything, catching the action, the reactions, and the heart.

Can I Face-stalk you?
Heck yeah! I’m on Facebook pretty much all the time, you can ask Jess, and I usually post recent sneak-peaks there first so friend request me and stalk away!

What do you do in your spare time?
Spare time? What?

What’s a creative portrait session like?
Fun!

No, I mean really…what’s it like?
Super fun!

Details?
Oh, you want details! Well, see, a lot depends on the type of session you are doing. Family portraits are going to roll out quite a bit differently than, say, artist’s headshots. Engagement sessions are clearly a totally different animal than boudoir. You might want studio shots, on-location, or a combination of both. I’ve shot in everything from fishing boats to soccer pitches, welding workshops to empty parking garages to random fields. And don’t forget the studio. If you need or want indoor shots, we can do that too. So really…it’s all about you.

But no matter the session you are booking, or how we decide to play it out, there are a few things you can depend on:
– It may take you a little bit to really loosen up in front of the camera. That’s OK.  We are going to work on that together.

–  I will be taking A LOT of shots. Outfit and locations changes are great because you end up with a variety of amazing images to choose from. We’ll get creative. But don’t worry…I sort through them all before you proof so you only have to see the good ones.

– There will be a lot of laughing.

– It will be fun.

How long does a session normally run?
All sessions will be different, but on average somewhere between 1 1/2 – 2 hours.

What do I wear?
Again, this depends on the session. My rule of thumb tends to be the more color the better. Vivid colors, crazy prints and funky accessories that can be taken on and off all make for amazing photographs.

How much does all this cost?
Can you guess what I’m going to say? I bet you can. That’s right! It depends on the session. There are so many kinds of photographic sessions, and so many different kinds of weddings, and every client has different needs and desires for their end results. For more specific pricing details, contact my lovely studio manager, Jess (jess@tammyswales.com), and let her know what you are looking for, and she will let you know what it will cost.

Where do I go?
Most portrait sessions will at least begin at my studio. The studio is in the Anderson Alley Artists building at 250 North Goodman, in Rochester. It is by the Village Gate. It is not IN the Village Gate, just by it. The studio is on the fourth floor with an amazing view of the Rochester skyline…and great lighting.

Who do I call?
Ghost Busters.

To set up an appointment?
Jess will gladly work with you to come up with the perfect time for your shoot, or set up a time to meet and discuss your wedding day. You can email her at jess@tammyswales.com or call (585) 203-1441.

When do I get to see my pictures?
I’m all about instant gratification…well, sort of. I’m not going to show you the on-camera shots during the shoot, so don’t even ask.  OK, go ahead and ask.  Maybe I’ll show you a couple.  But by the time I get home I’m already psyched to see and play with the images. Within a day or two after your shoot I will post a couple of sneak-peaks, usually on Facebook, so you can see some of the images right away. After your session, Jess will set you up with a proof time, about 2-3 weeks later, so you can sit down and look through your images and decide which ones you’d like.
Weddings work on a different time-frame due to the shear magnitude of images, and the different elements of work that need to be done (i.e. slideshows, albums, etc.). Turn-around time also depends on the time of year. Drop us an email or call Jess to set up a meeting and we can go over all that in person.

Do you use Photoshop?
I am the Photoshop queen! I’m like a magician – blemishes, puffy eyes, dark circles, razor burn, poison ivy, cellulite – I can make them disappear.

Do you have any pets?
Not sure how that’s relevant, but as a matter-of-fact, I do. Lulu is my girl. She’s a great Black Lab with a heart of gold, and an amazing friend. Not a big fan of the camera though. And she snores (And farts. If you’re already my friend on Facebook you know what I mean.)

Do you shoot pets?
Oh, I see the relevance now.  Of course I do! Our pets are part of our families too, how could we leave them out?! Photographing animals is always an adventure, but with a sense of humor and a dose of patience, they are also a ton of fun. And so SO cute! Obviously some animals will have to be shot on-location or at your home – I can just imagine my landlord’s face as we tried to bribe a horse into the studio elevator, or the horses for that matter! – but give us a heads up when you schedule your shoot and we will work out all the necessary arrangements.

I hate the camera. What do I do?
If you really are uncomfortable in front of the camera, a fun, creative, life-style session is one of the best things you could do. Most of my clients who claim they are camera-shy will start a session feeling very closed and nervous, and end feeling confident and excited. We will work together to make you more comfortable, we’ll kick back and have fun and who knows, you may even find something inside yourself you never knew was there. One of my favorite parts about this job is watching people’s faces light up as they look at images and say, “Oh my God, that’s me?!”

What kind of equipment do you use?
I’m a Canon girl, and if your interested in what I’m using right now, drop me an email. I’m always upgrading and trying new things, so it tends to change.
Currently I’m using…
Cameras:

Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 1D MarkIII
Canon 5D

Lenses:
50 1.4mm
24 1.4mm
100 2.8mm
70-200 2.8mm
15mm fish-eye

Flash:
(3) 580 EXII
Alien Bee Strobes

I’m not done asking questions!
Ask away! Jess and I are always happy to hear from you, and answer any questions you may have. Call (585) 203-1441, or email tammy@tammyswales.com or jess@tammyswales.com. We look forward to hearing from you!