How to build a relationship with your clients before a portrait session..

Todd Kustman, owner of KenMar, donated three days during his busy season to teach me photography/lighting principles when I decided that I couldn't fit the courses into my schedule. I, in tern, offered to shoot some promotional footage for him to help potential high school seniors prepare for their senior portrait experience, while also aiming to build my own professional film portfolio.

I was photographed by Todd Kustman back in 2008 for my senior photographs and I remember that I was not fully prepared for all the things I could potentially do during my photo-shoot. Todd builds a strong relationship with each of his clients before he photographs them, in this way he not only captures their appearance but their personality as well. I'm proud to call him a friend and I was more than happy donating my time in editing in producing for him.

by Tyler Shadick