Photographer Showcase – Scott Clevenger
Scott’s Website: scottclevengerphotography.com
Template Style: Allegra
Tell us about you and your business?
My education is in studio art with an emphasis on graphic design and photography. I did graphic design for a small web company for a few years until the dot com bubble burst and I found myself with no job. This put me in an interesting situation and I ended up working for a pest control company for a few years while I figured things out. In the long run this experience was invaluable because of their focus on customer service. I knew I needed to do something creative but wasn’t too excited about continuing in graphic design. I decided to explore the photography side of things and was introduced to an awesome photographer by my brother-in-law. He gave me a shot at helping out with a few weddings and we became friends and continue to shoot together today. Whether it’s pest control or photography I want to put my all into it and do my best for the customer. I want them to see value in what I’m giving them and doing for them.
How would you describe your style of Photography?
I guess my style would mainly be photojournalistic. I love the concentration on what’s happening and anticipating what’s going to happen next. I love it when my wedding subjects act like I’m not there so I can just observe and shoot away. Photos are happening all over the place. I just need to catch them. I’m all for a little “creative suggestion” at the right moment though. Some of my favorite shots (wedding and portrait) have come from a small suggestion and then letting the subject react in their own way to capture a more personal and real moment.
How many Photo shoots a year do you do?
Around 60 shoots including weddings, portraits and events.
Where would be your perfect Holiday destination?
If I were going just to relax and not do much of anything it would be anywhere tropical and a beach. If I were going for adventure and photos I would love to explore somewhere like Italy or Ireland.
Why did you decide to become a Photographer?
It gives me the chance be creative and record a little piece of history the way I see it. I get to go out and interact with people and then come back and do all the fun stuff on the computer when editing the photos. It’s also cool to think that one day someone will pull out that wedding album or portrait and be taken back to that place or time.
Which Camera do you use most?
My current camera is a Nikon D300. My 50mm 1.4 stays on the camera while in the bag. I’m hoping the D3 is in my not to distant future but the D300 does an excellent job.
What is your favorite Movie?
We have two boys ages 7 and 4 and most of our movies consist of Disney animations. We have a DVD player in our mini van (yes, we have a mini van) and I can’t even tell you how many times I have heard Toy Story or Finding Nemo.
How would you like your Photography to evolve in the next 5 years?
I hope to get more involved in editorial type portraits as well as more fine art weddings. I love using portable off camera lighting and want to continue to learn and explore that realm as well.
Which one of your Photo’s do you consider to be your best?
This is one of my favorites because it came out pretty much how I envisioned it in my head from lighting the shoot to the post production. His name is Alfred and he plays a seriously mean guitar. He and JD, who was also at the shoot, play and sing together and had a hand in starting the Freedom Biker Church. This was the second location we shot that day and it was cold! He needed every bit of that leather to stay warm. Combine a biker full of character, rolling clouds in an evening sky, some remote lighting and a few tweaks in Lightroom and Photoshsop and you’ve got a cool shot.
