Q. What services do you offer?
Advertisement, commercial, editorial, wedding, etc... In the past 13 years that I've taken up photography (Professionally from 2006 with my business)
I've photographed anything from an object so obscure as a pet casket to even an aggressive city street riot that left several cars turned over and storefront signs burning in the streets at 2am.
I feel that I'm inching closer to a point where I can say, "If I haven't photographed it yet, I'm sure I can."
Q. Why use Joe Cottrell Photography verses an amateur photographer?
I know. These days everyone is a photographer. I can't blame anyone for that, cause it's an awesome career with amazing opportunities.
It's just inversely unfortunate that the majority of amateurs are technically challenged, aren't skilled in composition, lack dedication to the client's needs, and they have no visual consistency, because they're still developing their own style.
I know this, because 13 years ago I was all of the above and I can say all of that with confidence. But today, I'm a well cultured professional that's had national experience assisting on accounts for Better Homes & Gardens,
I've been published in a monthly regionally magazine for three years in a row, I've been recognized with several state wide photo awards and I even took 1st place in the Art Institute's national scholarship photo competition.
Bottom line, every year I continue to increase my credibility through more independently contracted jobs as Joe Cottrell Photography and every year I get better than the last.
Q. Do you work with extra shooters? How much does that affect my final total?
I've worked alone, on location or in the studio, with in my business since I began. I haven't really met my match with being too overwhelmed with the content in front of me. With that being said, it definitely cuts cost on your final total.
I suppose there's no harm in having extra shooters, it's just my personal preference not to. Gives me a clear head and environment to work with.
Overall, I help you save money on your final total by cutting out the use of extra photographers on site.
Q. When I contract you for a photography session who owns the photography rights?
The majority of the time, both parties (you and myself), holds mutual ownership over the images. With the exception, that I hold the rights to resale for my own profit. Of course, all of this can be negotiable in our contract.
When it comes to photographing your wedding, you and I both own the images.
No worries. No problems. No hidden extra fees. You're welcome!
Q. How long does it take me to receive my images?
Depends on the size of the job. Usually, I can have a shoot turned around back to a client with in a week. If I'm aware that it'll take more time than that I'll be sure to let you know in advance.
Q. After you photograph a job for me how do I receive the images?
I can hand the images back over to you on a digital storage device i.e. USB flash drive, digital external storage device, etc...
Q. How do you handle billing? What are your payment terms?
Cash, check, or credit work just fine with me.
Q. When is the best time for me to contact you?
I'm just like you. I'm always on the go. Anytime is a great time to get a hold of me and if I don't pick up you can definitely leave me a message in my voicemail. Thanks.
Q. What made you become a photographer?
When I was in 9th grade I noticed some amateur black & white photographs up on a wall. I kept staring at them and I couldn't stop. I just kept thinking to myself in my head, "With a little more care, those images could look amazing." It bothered me.
I had never held an analog camera body before that moment and I knew absolutely nothing about light. So, I read every book available on those topics at the time to understand how to create better images and I worked part-time after school to afford the equipment I needed to go out in the world to do it myself.
I was very self-motivated and relentless at finding something to be efficient at when I was a teenager. It just so happened that photography took over my life first. Had I been interested in law, mechanics, or medical;
I would have striven for the same level of excellence in any of those fields as well. My outlook has always been, "It doesn’t matter what you do in life, you’ve got to do your best. Otherwise, why bother?"
Q. What was your favorite shoot you've ever been on?
A month after I got out of college there was a company that was just starting up in Erie, Pa that specialized in events. I only took on two jobs for the group, because they had their flaws that weren't setting well with me from a business perspective.
I stuck around for the second event, because it concerned photographing the Stanley Cup at Kevyn Adamn's property in Western New York. I couldn't be happier that I had the opportunity of photographing that event, because I was one of two photographers on the job and I was the only photographer that Kevyn Adams, himself, told to come over and personally drink beer out of the cup.
I'm pretty sure I upset the event coordinator, since he didn't even get to drink out of the Stanley Cup and I eternally made all my hockey friends jealous for life. The only thing I would have done differently would have been to have taken a bigger sip.
