Most clients initially hire a photographer because they like their style, creativity or reputation. If you want the client to hire you again, you need to listen to what they want so, by the end of the project, you can give them what they need. To illustrate my point, follow along with this short story about how my friend Anthony Neste – Sports Illustrated photographer and an on-set photographer for HBO shows – used this philosophy to capture an image that landed on the cover of Life Magazine’s Century of Change — America in Pictures 1900–2000!
The Story Behind the Photo
I met up with Anthony Neste to record a “Story from the Set” – a new video interview series I’m working on. Anthony has lots of stories to share with valuable lessons. As we were preparing for the interview, I saw a photo he took of the late James Gandolfini – the actor who brought the Tony Soprano character to life. Anthony smiled at the famous photo and said the shot was never planned. After finishing on set, he and Gandolfini walked by a pool as they were leaving. Anthony asked Gandolfini to jump in the cold water for a quick shot. Gandolfini laughed, thinking his friend was crazy, but followed along. Anthony had him pose with a cigar and ripped a few quick shots. This was back in the film days, so the two had no idea how the photo turned out. Anthony submitted the film for developing and forgot about the shot. The photo later made its way to the cover of Life Magazine’s Century of Change — America in Pictures 1900–2000.
The Story Behind the Story
Let me point a few things out. When Anthony showed up on set, he was handed a script with a shot list. This list instructs the photographer on the photos they MUST take. In our story, the pool shot wasn’t required and was taken after completing the shot list. Anthony took the initiative to include photos he thought the art director would want – without disrupting the set or causing a delay in the next scene.
As photographers, our job is based on giving the client what they want. Our reputation is built on giving the client what they need.
*Feature image © 2015 Anthony Neste
Vanelli is a photographer, educator and author based in Florida. Currently he shoots for Inside Lacrosse Magazine, teaches workshops, and writes for Photofocus. Click here for a list of Vanelli’s articles.
https://www.facebook.com/mrvanelli
https://twitter.com/vanelli
This Post Sponsored by:
Perfectly Clear for Photoshop or Lightroom is all about saving you time so you can focus on doing what you love best. Get a free trial of the award winning plug-in here.
The HDR Learning Center. Check out new ways to use High Dynamic Range photography to make compelling images. Free tutorials and posts to get results. Produced in partnership with HDRsoft
Arizona Highways Photo Workshops. For more than 30 years, Arizona Highway Photo Workshops has been committed to helping photographers find inspiring destinations, quality education and spectacular images. Get more information (and enter our contest) at http://www.ahpw.org/FindIt/
lynda.com Learn photography anytime, anywhere, and at your own pace—from bite-sized tutorials to comprehensive courses. Try lynda.com free for 10 days by visiting lynda.com/Photofocus
Filed under: Opinion, Photography Tagged: Anthony Neste, Give the clients what they need, James Gandolfini, Life Magazine, Robert Vanelli, Vanelli 
