The recipient of our 2013 BP4U Photographer of the Year is Elenora Luberto from J E M M A N | photography! We contacted her a few weeks ago and asked her to be one of our featured photogs; however, she has no idea that she is receiving this award!
The BP4U Photographer of the Year is given to creative professionals in the photography industry. This individual shows a passion in their artistic endeavors, growth in their business, and encouragement to other photographers in the industry.
Our board of directors voted and it was unanimous, we would like to formally congratulate Elenora Luberto! We really feel that creative professionals need to be recognized more. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post on how you can nominate others for the awards.
Here’s a little about Elenora!
My name is Elenora Luberto. I’m a professional photographer with J E M M A N | photography. I have a “slight” addiction to photography.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a photographer? Photography is a second career for me, but it really is my true passion. As a former high school English teacher, I absolutely loved teaching, but left the profession when the logistics of a growing family (I have 4 little ones ranging in age from 5 to 11), husband in the military and frequent postings ran contrary to the devotion needed to teach.
Shortly after the birth of my twin girls did I turn to photography as my profession and not only as my relished pastime. As a professional photographer and owner of J E M M A N | photography (5 years in the making), I can balance the demands of family, lifestyle and my heart’s desires.
When and how did you start out in photography? I truly can’t remember a time that I WASN’T into photography. My love for it started as a child with my sister’s Canon film camera. She never used it, but I did — every chance I got. I would pull it out of her wardrobe where she stored it and turn it over and over in my hands, loving the feel of it and the magic I knew it had within.
In fact, looking back, I can say the first wedding I ever shot was my cousin’s when I was a teen (with my sister’s camera that I had secreted away that same morning). Of course, my cousin had an official photographer, but intuitively, I knew the story that had to be told and I was always in the right place at the right time (much to my cousin’s annoyance by the way — but she and my aunt got some great shots well ahead of when the photographer was scheduled to present them!).
How would you describe your style? I don’t know that I have one “style”. I think I respond more to what is in front of me (whatever the given “subject” is) and shoot it in the “style” that it demands. Does that make sense? I do custom photography — I work with my clients to create a session that speaks to them, their likes, their interests, their relationships, their comfort level.
I work with THEIR style and not necessarily mine. I do strive to always have that one element in an image that makes you stop and study it, whether it be beautiful lighting, composition, expression, colour, emotion … If I was pressed, I’d say I like to add a hint of “glamour” into every shoot I do — yes, even with newborns.
What’s in your gear bag? Despite my start with Canon, I’m a Nikon girl — and loyal to the brand.
One lens you can’t live without? My Nikkor 24-70 is my work-horse. It’s my go-to lens. I’m always taken aback with what my 70-200 produces (LOVE it!), but find that range more limiting in how I shoot. I tend to be in my subject’s grill. 😉
How did know when the right time to start charging was? I’ve always “charged” in some way, shape or form — there’s always been some exchange for my work / service. I instilled a structured price list as soon as inquiries started coming my way from people who were not directly my friends or family.
How much did you charge for your first session and how much are you charging for the same type of session now ? Ugh. I gave away the farm with cheap sessions, cd included (CRINGE). Ugh. CRINGE. But not for long I can gladly say. I knew that was what I had to do to create a portfolio and get my name out there. That price list was VERY short-lived, thankfully.
Today, for my area and depending on the nature of the session, time and talent is $150. Beyond that, clients then typically invest between $350 and $600 in Fine Art products per session. Wedding clients typically invest between $2900 and $3600 right now.
How did you market yourself when you started out? Word of mouth and living in small communities (specifically military communities) worked for me. Sue Bryce recently commented that people in small towns do something that people in large cities do not do: they talk to each other. And she is absolutely correct. That is what helped market me when I first started out. That, and Facebook. That is still what helps sustain me today.
We are going to play a game… name the first person that comes to mind when you think of…
Newborn photographer: Sandy Puc
Wedding photographer: Jerry Ghionis
Lifestyle photographer: Pinkle Toes
Most inspiration person: Sue Bryce
Did you go to school for photography or were you self- taught? What photographer is NOT self-taught to some degree? I think it’s safe to say that every photographer has to self-teach in order to know the intricacies and abilities of their gear — and to continue to learn as new gear, programs, techniques, products, actions, props, etc. hit the market.
I am mostly self-taught but did a stint with the New York Institute of Photography during my time in the U.S. in order to gain a sheepskin. Like anything else, clients take some confidence in and like to see credentials and awards — and NYIP helped me add those notches to my photography belt.
What has been some of the hardest things to overcome in your business? I find it challenging to overcome my impatience with wanting everything I envision for my photography goals to come to fruition right now. I know what I need to do, what I need to learn, what I need to get, what I need to improve, what I need to add … and I want to attack it all now and do it all now. Every “project” has its time though and I will get to each one. It may not be as quickly as I like, but I’ll get there.
Do you have any tips for photographers just starting out? Sue Bryce and Hailey Bartholomew recently said “Do what you love and the Universe will meet you there.” That alone is the best tip that I can give to anyone, photographer or otherwise. I absolutely believe that when you truly love — I mean truly love — doing something, you will do it everyday, never tire of it, be emblazoned by it, be passionate about it, hold it in every pore of your being, continually seek it out and be fueled by it. All else will naturally and inevitably fall into place. It is a Law that I have experienced and it is one by which I live.
If for some reason you couldn’t be a photographer what do you think you would be? Heart-broken! Just kidding. Sort of.
What’s the best lesson in photography (business or shooting) that you’ve learned so far? Hmmm. I learn something new with every session I do. It could be about my gear, client relationship, posing, lighting, marketing, pricing, editing, print product … there’s always something. There’s no coasting or robotics — and hopefully there never will be any. The more I learn, the more I see I have more to learn and want to learn. I try to watch and listen closely to the best photographers and people in the business (in my opinion) and learn from the mistakes they are willing to share.
What are your thoughts on flash and photoshop? Flash and Photoshop — both of you are my nemesis. I will conquer each of you one day, know your in’s and out’s and get you to do exactly what I want you to do! These are two powerful tools in which I am needing the most growth right now. Bit by bit, I am making progress though. And, as with everything else, every project has its time …