Thread: Looking for photographer - San Diego area

Not sure if this is the right place to post or the Business section would be better.

A couple of years ago I had a fantastic photographer who did my photoshoot. He is no longer in the business.
He was amazing:
- extremely professional
- he had lots of experience photographing belly dancers (he is married to one!)
- he made me feel very comfortable
- he, himself was excited about working with me. He looked at my website for photos to get a feel for what I like, discussed my goals needs at great length.
- he had very good ideas for poses, what looks good and doesn't.
- he gave me a very nice deal, which included photoshopping and adding background to 10 pictures.
- he also gave me all the originals.

These are the qualities I am looking for. I want someone that is experienced with shooting belly dancers or at least dancers. I may not need 10 finished pictures, but photoshopping / adding background is a must.
I also have some students that would be interested in a few pictures.

I am in the San Diego area. Do you ladies know anyone that you would recommend? I am also looking for reasonable offers, paying $375 for 1-2 pictures is not reasonable, in my opinion. (the photographer charged me $150 for all 10 finished photos, he actually came to my house-from 45 minutes away-, set up everything and spent hours and hours - I also had about 5 costume changes and used several props.
I know this is not something I can ever find again.

But I do need to find someone .w.:

Thank you,please post here, just in case someone else is looking

Check with Ana about her photographer. Michael Campbell is excellent, but extremely expensive, though. Also, Bedouin Bazaar is coming up and you can have Cathy Yavorsky take photos at a discount.

thank you. I was going to check with several dancers about their photos, but I thought this would be more efficient. :)
Yes, in my opinion Michael Campbell is too expensive. Not to bash him, or anything, but his mentality towards prices and belly dancers - well, I just don't agree with that.

Sabrina had some photos taken recently, but I don't know who took them. It wasn't Michael Campbell, though, and I know that Ana doesn't use him either.

Cathy Yavorsky is excellant photographer in San Diego and has a nice private studio with lighting and a dressing room. She does the publicity stills for Bediouns Bazaar and is very reasonable and lots of fun.
Catherine Yavorsky Photography
She is also a dancer herself which I think helps a lot. I can give you her phone number if you're interested, just pm me.
Patricia

Originally Posted by gypsydanse

Sabrina had some photos taken recently, but I don't know who took them. It wasn't Michael Campbell, though, and I know that Ana doesn't use him either.

Cathy did mine. She's great to work with. Talented and a very nice lady.

Thank you guys - when I am doing a search on Google, very few photographers come up, who actually shoot dancers.

One thing is always bugging me though: why, why do
photographers charge extra / or limit the amount of costumes a dancer can use? I totally understand if there is a 2 - 3 hour time frame, and of course they charge per finished / retouched photos, I even understand the extra fee for fantasy background.

But if I pay for a 3 hour photo shoot, with agreed number of finished photos, what difference does it make if I use 2 costumes, or manage to change and use 4 different ones, as well as different props?? It just seems they are trying to get the most money.

This is similar to let's say I charge X amount for a 25 minutes performance, and it includes me using zills. If they want veil: $25 more, if they want me to get the birthday boy to dance, another $25, and if they want another prop then another $25. Or if they want me to perform a folkloric piece, that's also $25.
Wouldn't that be weird?

Sohaila set up a photoshoot day for her students awhile (a few years) back. David Hernandez - iearnit.com.

Originally Posted by BELLA_BELLA

Sohaila set up a photoshoot day for her students awhile (a few years) back. David Hernandez - iearnit.com.

David Hernandez no longer does photograpy, nor does his wife dance or teach anymore. They both are involved in pre-paid legal now.

Marianna, I would suggest Michael Baxter based on the photos that Dilek has in her album at Facebook. The only problem is that he's in the San Francisco area and I don't think he travels.

I forgot about Cathy Yavorsky, she does the shoots for Bedouin Bazaar (in her private studio).

Another suggestion is that you might want to look up Kathy Thompson, she used to do photography for dancers and might be able to give you a good recommendation.

Marianna,

I do travel. I did not know whether I should reply here, but I could not contact you via bhuz, because bhuz is saying your message box is overfull.

I have some ideas. We could talk about your needs if you can you PM me, either here on bhuz, or on Tribe, Facebook, or at my email address:
mab@cruzio.com

Or we could chat by phone, if more helpful.

Wish you well.

Blessings and Light,
Michael/raksphoto

Originally Posted by raksphoto

Marianna,

I do travel. I did not know whether I should reply here, but I could not contact you via bhuz, because bhuz is saying your message box is overfull.

I have some ideas. We could talk about your needs if you can you PM me, either here on bhuz, or on Tribe, Facebook, or at my email address:
mab@cruzio.com

Or we could chat by phone, if more helpful.

Wish you well.

Blessings and Light,
Michael/raksphoto

Hi Michael! I didn't realize you were on Bhuz!!

I highly recommend Michael. His work is stellar, his prices & terms are reasonable, and he is completely passionate about working with dancers.

I recommend Michael Baxter (raksphoto) also. He's a fantastic photographer and so much fun to work with. :-)

Michael and I are planning on working together next spring!

Thank you ladies.
David Hernandez was the wonderful photographer I was raving about - but I know, he stopped doing it. TOOOOO BAD!

Michael - thank you! I will email you! I have seen your pictures, they are wonderful and I heard nothing but great things about you! I even saw you on Tribe, but didn't know you would travel.

And I didn't know my mailbox was full, sorry about that.

I offered Michael to be in our San Diego area. I know for sure he would come someday...we really need you to be here...Arabina Dance Company need wonderful pictures of you...and I have 4 new Bellas...I know you love Bellas
If you are not coming down I will be in SF again for Suhaila and Jamila workshops end of Feb and March, maybe for my bday we can do some special photo shoot. This time I will do whole day ;-)
if you are in SD you know there will be many dancers will use your service.