Below are some of the most frequently asked questions that I receive — some about photography and some about myself and my studio. If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, feel free to contact me. There is no such thing as a silly question. Plus — I love hearing from you!
What is your photography style and expertise?
Where are you located? Where do you shoot?
What is food photography?
What is still life photography?
What is lifestyle photography?
Why are your photographs watermarked?
Do you sell your photographs as stock images?
Do you do travel photography or assignment photography?
Why is your architectural photography by paid commission only?
Do you still shoot portraits?
Do you still offer design services?
Do you have an online design portfolio?
If I hire you for your design services, will you also photograph it?
I don’t have a big budget. Are you available for trade of services?
Other than yourself, who do you look to for inspiration?
Do you offer internships?
Do you have an agent?
I have more questions!
What is your photography style and expertise?
I specialize in culinary, still life, and lifestyle photography. I aspire to tell a story through styling, lighting, and art direction. With an education and professional background in design, I utilize my artistic eye to focus on composition, color, and mood. The end results range from project to project, but my overall goal is to create timeless, natural work that is carefully crafted toward the brand and image needs of the client.
Where are you located? Where do you shoot?
With access to top-of-the-line photography studios and industry-leading professionals, I am primarily based out of New York City. Large scale commercial shoots take place in Manhattan or Brooklyn production studios while smaller collaborations typically happen at the client’s location. Beyond that, I look forward to going wherever the next opportunity takes me. I enjoy traveling anywhere with an amazing local culture and have a soft spot for Texas, Europe, Northern California, and anywhere with a forest or a big sky.
This specialization is mostly self-explanatory but at times difficult to describe since the process ranges from project to project. Sometimes, a shoot can be an intimate one-on-one session in a natural daylighting setting. Other times, a shoot is highly conceptual and extensively coordinated, utilizing a crew and multiple artist collaborations, and shot in a professional studio with high-end equipment. Read more about food photography here but in general:
Food photography is a still life specialization of commercial photography, aimed at producing attractive photographs of food for a variety of uses including in advertisements, magazines, packaging, menus or cookbooks. Professional food photography is a collaborative effort, usually involving an art director, a photographer, a food stylist, a prop stylist and their assistants.
What is still life photography?
For me, this genre requires an exceptional amount of skills ranging from lighting to prop styling to art direction and production. Shoots are often captured in a professional setting with modified studio lighting. Often the shoots are styled by a collaborating artist or stylist. Subjects and concepts are limitless but often include home goods, small products, or luxury accessories. The definition ranges with each photographer but in summary:
Still life photography is the depiction of inanimate subject matter, most typically a small grouping of objects. Still life photography, more so than other types of photography, such as landscape or portraiture, gives the photographer more leeway in the arrangement of design elements within a composition. Still life photography is a demanding art, one in which the photographers are expected to be able to form their work with a refined sense of lighting, coupled with compositional skills. The still life photographer makes pictures rather than takes them. Knowing where to look for propping and surfaces also is a required skill.
What is lifestyle photography?
This genre also has an interchangeable definition. To me, lifestyle photography or profile photography goes beyond a portrait session. It captures a moment in an artistic way that looks and feels like photojournalism but involves professional styling and lighting. The end results are often aspirational images that tell a unique story. My specialization mixes my food and still life expertise with the flexibility of capturing travel or portrait photography. I consider it “multidisciplinary” with a broad description:
Lifestyle photography is a kind of photography which mainly aims to capture portrait/people on situations, real-life events or milestones in an artistic manner and the art of the everyday. The primary goal is to tell stories about people’s life or to inspire people in different times. Thus, it covers multidisciplinary types of photography together.
Why are your photographs watermarked?
“To watermark or not to watermark?” is a great debate amongst photographers. Some do it in order to “prevent” people from stealing their photography. Some don’t do it because they believe that watermarks “ruin” the image. I don’t fully subscribe to either. Anyone with decent computer skills can steal a photograph. A small logo in the corner will rarely interrupt the beauty of an image (at least if the job is done right). I watermark because my company is fairly young and my commissions are mainly propelled by word of mouth. I tell other photographers to find the answer that best suits their business model and leave the unsolicited opinions behind. So for me, I’ll likely stop watermarking when I’ve made it big and no longer need watermarked self-promotion to facilitate new business.
Do you sell your photographs as stock images?
Stock images and prints of non-commissioned photographs are available for licensing or purchase. For a list of available images and a custom quote, send me an email.
Do you do travel photography or assignment photography?
Yes! As of 2015, I have added travel and assignment photography to my list of available services. It is currently an extension of my primary expertise in food and lifestyle photography. For example, capturing the culinary profile of a restaurant abroad or documenting local dining experiences for a travel publication. This range of services is a work in progress and I will be adding more information as it evolves.
Why is your architectural photography by paid commission only?
Simply put, photography equipment differs with each specialization. My gear selection (i.e. lenses, lighting, and manpower) is tailored to my expertise which is culinary, still life, and lifestyle photography. Capturing architectural spaces often requires additional gear, production coordination, and location crew. While I strongly advocate that a good photographer can capture anything with a decent camera and a kit lens, as a professional, I strive to provide the very best images to my clients. Therefore, I take on architectural photography by paid commission only in order to have the best shooting conditions possible. To learn more about commissioning architectural photography, visit the information website by the American Society of Media Photographers written in collaboration with the American Institute of Architects. The ASMP/AIA best practices guidelines cover the scope of commissioning architectural photography and is available for download here.
If you’ve seen my portrait work, chances are the people being photographed are from my personal life as either a close friend or family member. I do shoot a very limited number of portraits every year but as it isn’t my primary photography focus, I select the commissions based on my availability and if the people or concepts pique my interest.
Do you have a neat idea for a portrait or family photoshoot but will not be using the images for commercial use? Then email me and let’s talk!
Do you still offer design services?
When I am not behind the camera, I am exclusively contracted with architectural design studios in the New York City area. Regarding new projects, as long as it doesn’t conflict with my current commitments, I am available on a freelance or consultant basis for the right scope and project.
Do you have an online design portfolio?
In respect of my clients and their privacy, my complete design portfolio is accessible by in-person interview only. However, a limited online preview is available via password-protected site. Please contact me directly to request access or for more information.
If I hire you for your design services, will you also photograph it for our portfolio?
Yes, for an additional photography and licensing fee that is separate from my design fee. On occasion, I may document a completed project however the images are not portfolio-ready. Professional architectural photography often requires special gear, lighting equipment, shoot crew, and extensive post-production. See above for more information on commissioning architectural photography.
I don’t have a big budget. Are you available for trade of services?
I’ve been there. I know the challenge of working on a budget and how it can be tough for any project. I evaluate my answer to this question on a case-by-case basis and the best way to learn more is to contact me. In the meantime, read more about working with an assignment photographer here. The guidelines written by the American Society of Media Photographers covers general questions and is definitely worth a read for anyone considering an artist collaboration.
Other than yourself, who do you look to for inspiration?
One of the best parts of working in photography industry is the community. I wouldn’t be doing what I do without the inspiration of other photographers, stylists, bloggers, and creatives. Most of what I know about the industry is from looking to them for inspiration. Visit my community page for links to my growing collection of favorites. I hope you enjoy following them as much as I do!
Yes, based on my workflow needs and if I am able to provide quality mentorship. Most of what I know from the industry is from working with other photographers and looking to them for advice, mentorship, and inspiration. Internships are unpaid so I do my best to provide a worthwhile learning experience that goes beyond picking up coffee or running errands. I will be launching an internship information and application page soon. In the meantime, if you have a strong, passionate interest in the photography industry (whether that is shooting, styling, or producing) and you’re a good person, feel free to send your contact information and portfolio links!
Currently, I am freelance but open to finding the right representation. Look for more news soon!
Awesome! Ask away by using the contact page or emailing me directly at grace@graceannevergara.com. I look forward to hearing from you!
