My deepest thanks to the photographers whose work appears in this book. Their powerful images are inspiring—as is their commitment to educating other professionals. If you have a chance to learn from them, whether at a workshop or through their writing, take it; you won’t be disappointed.
Stephen Dantzig
Dr. Stephen Dantzig is a world-renowned lighting expert and the author numerous books, including Portrait Lighting for Digital Photographers: The Basics and Beyond and The Essential Photography Workbook (Amherst Media). He writes a monthly column for ProPhotoResource.com and is a frequent contributor to Rangefinder magazine. His lessons have appeared in Professional Photographer, PC Photo, Studio Photography and Design, ProPhoto West, as well as on ShootSmarter.com and the Photoflex Web Photo School. Stephen is also the founder of Hawaii School of Photography (www.hawaiischoolofphotography.com).
Tracy Dorr
Tracy Dorr is the author of several books on wedding and portrait photography, including The Beautiful Wedding: Photographing Authentic Moments, Set the Scene: Use Props to Create Memorable Portrait Photography, and Engagement Portraiture: Master Techniques for Digital Photographers (Amherst Media). She holds a BA in English/Photography from the State University of New York at Buffalo and has been shooting professionally since 2003. Tracy won three Awards of Excellence from WPPI and has been a Master Class teacher at the WPPI convention in Las Vegas.
Brett Florens
Since beginning his career as a photojournalist in South Africa, his devotion to photography has taken Brett Florens from covering police riot squads to a successful career as a wedding, commercial, and fashion photographer—with long-standing clients such as Wonderbra, Playtex, Quiksilver, and Roxy. He was also named the representative Nikon Wedding Photographer, making him one of twelve photographers chosen worldwide as the best in their particular field. Brett is the author of Brett Florens’ Guide to Photographing Weddings and One Wedding: How to Photograph a Wedding from Start to Finish (Amherst Media) and travels extensively, shooting and hosting professional seminars.
Beth Forester
With over twenty years in the photography industry, Beth Forester is an award-winning artist who loves to photograph people. It is her belief that photography is the best medium to remember the important people in our lives and the once-in-a-lifetime moments that occur each and every day. Specializing in high school senior portraiture, Beth is known not only for her stunning images but also for her creative marketing strategies and innovative business tactics. She has been featured in magazines such as Rangefinder, Digital Pro Photo, Click, Chic, Professional Photographer, and WV Weddings. Beth also develops and markets the popular software line photoDUDS (www.photoDUDs.com), a commercially-licensed series of DVD volumes containing graphic design products and creative business kits developed specifically for professional photographers.
Angela Hubbard
Angela Hubbard is a photographer whose music and celebrity images have appeared in many of the world’s foremost publications, including Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, Spin, and People. She brings the same rock ’n’ roll spirit to her wedding photography, transforming each of her brides and grooms into stars. In 2010, she was named Best Wedding Photographer in the Best of Vancouver awards. Additionally, her images have appeared in Wedding Bells, Real Weddings, and on blogs like Style Me Pretty, RocknRoll Bride, Wedding Obsession, Sweet Violet Bride, and Wedding Chicks. She was also featured in How to Photograph Weddings: Behind the Scenes with 25 Leading Pros, by Michelle Perkins (Amherst Media).
Michael Mowbray
Michael Mowbray was named International PPA Photographer of the Year Gold Medalist in 2011 and Bronze Medalist in 2012 and 2013. He has won the prestigious Kodak Gallery Award five times and the Fuji Masterpiece Award for Outstanding Wedding Portraiture three times. Michael has also been named one of the top ten photographers in Wisconsin multiple times. He has earned both his Master Photographer and Photographic Craftsman degrees from PPA, and speaks around the country on the topics of weddings, seniors, and speedlights. Michael is the author of two popular speedlight photography books: The Speedlight Studio and Shoot to Thrill (Amherst Media).
Christie Mumm
Christie Mumm is the owner of JLM Creative Photography in Reno, NV. Christie maintains a business philosophy that is focused on her clients and their families, and she truly loves the wonderful people she is blessed to work with. In the summer of 2009, Christie realized a long-time dream when she was able to open a small boutique studio in downtown Reno. Christie firmly believes in running her business debt-free and feels that this has allowed her to continue to experience growth even during national economic downturns. She has been married to her best friend for over fifteen years and is the mother of one precocious and creative teenage daughter. Christie is the author of Family Photography: The Digital Photographer’s Guide to Building a Business on Relationships (Amherst Media).
Tim Schooler
Tim Schooler Photography is an award-winning studio, located in Lafayette, LA, that specializes in cutting-edge high-school senior photography. Tim’s bold and dynamic images are so popular that his sessions book solid almost instantly—in fact, he often has several hundred seniors on his waiting list! Tim’s work has been published internationally, and he has been the subject of numerous profiles in Rangefinder magazine. His signature images and techniques have also been featured prominently in numerous books on professional portrait photography.
Jeff Smith
Jeff Smith is an award-winning senior photographer from Fresno, CA. He owns and operates two studios in Central California and is well-recognized as an educator on portrait lighting and posing techniques, as well as the business of high-school senior portrait photography. He is the author of numerous books, including Photograph the Face: Lighting, Posing, and Postproduction for Flawless Portraits and Pricing Your Portraits: High-Profit Strategies for Photographers (Amherst Media).
Neal and Danielle Urban
Based in Buffalo, NY, Neal and Danielle Urban capture weddings throughout the United State and also document destination weddings outside of the country. Neal is a self-taught, third-generation photographer who discovered his passion for making images after picking up his grandfather’s WWII-era camera. Danielle learned the basics of photography from Neal and quickly developed her own unique style inspired by her background in fashion. Neal and Danielle recently won thirteen Silver Awards from WPPI, as well as a Gold Award in the 2013 competition against over 3,000 international entries! Their work has been featured three times in Rangefinder magazine and one image was chosen as the editor’s choice of “Favorite Wedding Image of the Year.” Additionally, Neal is the author of two books: Dream Weddings: Create Fresh and Stylish Photography and The Art of Engagement Portraits: Lighting, Posing, and Postproduction for Breathtaking Photography (Amherst Media).
Ethan Watts
Ethan Watts is a wedding photographer who was named the 2014 Editor’s Choice Winner at Two Bright Lights and recently nominated for Rangefinder magazine’s 30 Rising Stars of Wedding Photography. He has worked with the EPHAS organization in Kenya and South Sudan and Project Hope in Nicaraugua. His techniques and images were also featured in How to Photograph Weddings: Behind the Scenes with 25 Leading Pros, by Michelle Perkins (Amherst Media).
Pete Wright
Award-winning photographer, journalist, and lecturer Pete Wright has earned the distinction of Master Photographer and Photographic Craftsman from PPA. He also received Photographer of the Year honors from PPA seven times, has been awarded several Fuji Masterpiece, Kodak Gallery, Polaroid Prestige, Lexjet Sunset, and Canon Par Excellence Awards. His images have been accepted into the PPA Loan Collection multiple times. He has been featured in several national publications and is fortunate to have lectured around the world about his passion for photography. In keeping with his love for sharing knowledge, he recently authored Cinematic Portraits: How to Create Classic Hollywood Photography (Amherst Media).