What's comPassionateCamera about?

I care about art, and I care about people.  I have compassion for people and passion for art.  Usually the two get intertwined, and I'm reaching a person's soul--or at least her or his emotions--what makes personalities and desires.

So I'm both passionate and com-passionate in my camera and in my people.  I really wrap myself around a wedding or a portrait because  I am expressing both the people and my own being.  I don't want to put out something that doesn't represent how I feel, and of course, how the people feel.

What kind of gear do you use?

Canon EOS 1-Ds Mark II, the 16.7 MP one that is the fastest and best.  Then a small cousin, the famous Canon Rebel XT that announced to the world what digital is all about.  I also have lots of expensive lenses and gadgets plug into these bodies.

When video is required, I use a profession Sony PD-150 with a second digital video camera, TRV-50, for a backup.  With two cameras going, the cuts for different expressions and interest is greatly enhanced.

Why do you shoot portraits?

People are always something beautiful to take pictures of. I never know what to expect. I've been surprised by all kinds of emotional subtleties at a shoot. I don't like to be bored, and I a never am. 

And then there's the contact, quite often deeply emotional and real.  The juices flow, and I feel myself in a spiritual setting.

How do you shoot portraits?

Lots of shots. I find myself composing shots in my head even when I don't have a camera and am overjoyed when there is something in my hands that can preserve what I see.

 I try to limit what is posed fairly dramatically. Time is important and I prefer not to spend hours shooting what's been shot thousands of times before.

There are important photojournalistic life-as-it-happens shots that will be missed while we are sitting people up in an unnatural group and trying and coerce a smile out of them. What's important is hard to catch in portraiture.

 I try to grab that excitement of the person so to  participate in a life-changing event. Typically people aren't excited by getting a formal portrait, so I have to generate and capture energy.  It's not like a wedding.  It's much harder.

I prefer to go together to a park or stream or field.  I become paparazzi and go right back to my newspaper photographer experience and shoot what's exciting. I don't tell you what to do or where to stand. You're a unique individual and the last thing I want is for pictures from your portraiture looking like everyone else's. Goodness NO!

How do you meet with the people?

As I say I like to shoot portraits outside, but we can also do it in my studios in front of a blue screen.  That works too. 

khier@astropath.org

(541) 846-1011

How do you arrange the portraiture?

I have packages that you might like that combine sizes, but the cool thing is you can pick what you like immediately.  I can show the digital photos right on the large computer screen.

Do you travel for a portraits?

As little as possible, so I stay in g the Medford area.   It would have to be a large shoot to go up to Roseburg, Eugene, and Portland, Oregon; and down to Shasta and Redding, California.  I charge a travel fee according to distance and current gas rates.

Do you shoot bridal portraits and engagements?

Yep! These are some of my favorite things to shoot. Engagements are usually shot around downtown, or wherever the heck I am. I love shooting in an old city, discovering a bunch of unique places with the couple.

With a bridal session, it's not so much about discovering locations as finding out what kind of limits the bride has. I'm trying to create something beautiful but compelling as well which may not always happen in a grassy field. I love to contrast the beauty of a bride with the ugliness of the world in a way that emotes something more.

A wild deer standing staring at me a few feet away and letting me shoot away.  My regret is not having my camera with me when a bear ran by me.  I won't let that happen again.

Have you won any awards?

We'll see.

Do you teach any classes on portraits?

I teach workshops on occasion to kids and local persons who are searching for the next great thing. I don't know what it is yet, but I'll find out before the next workshop. I want to help other photographers unleash what they really want to do in photography and enjoy teaching about technique, technology and how to create art despite those two. 

I have a Ph.D. in literature, so I expect to teach some of this on a college level soon.  I may teach at Rogue Community College.

How then are the photos displayed?

I've searched out various inexpensive, quality albums--bound or spiral or ring.  The photos are then printed by offset or by me.  You pick out the classiest you like and can afford.

But you can also have the album online for your family and friends to visit.  Both are quite special.

What're best compliments you've ever gotten?

"You actually make me look good!"
"You caught my daughter beautifully.  Right to her soul."

I love the Northwest, I love nature, I love the small amount of summer rain, I love the small amount of crowding.