Sarah Blitzsky, senior, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Communications Media major, Summer 2003.
“I strongly recommend this experience to anyone who is interested in being a freelance photographer and learning the business of freelance. In addition to being incredibly talented, John has a tremendous amount of experience and knows what he’s doing, which allows him to give great advice.”
Most enjoyed - Least enjoyed:
“I enjoyed getting to experience different types of photo shoots first hand and seeing how John made each shoot relative to the subject he was shooting. I liked watching how the process of a photo shoot progressed: from sending estimates, setting dates, shooting, post production, and seeing the finished product.” - “I least enjoyed loading, unloading and carrying the heavy equipment, and I really didn’t enjoy filing the paperwork.”

What I learned:

“In addition to learning how to set up lighting and the workings of a photo shoot, I got an in-depth look at how a freelance photography business is run. I learned everything from how to make estimates for clients, to how to handle clients in difficult situations. I’m not sure that freelance photography is necessarily for me, but because of this experience, I now have a very good understanding of the business, which in turn, will help me be more conversant when dealing with freelance photographers in the future.”


(Below) Interns Alissa, Lora, and Sarah tour the WestWing of the White House.

(Below) Sarah stands in for a lighting test at a corporate client's portrait shoot and I stepped back to make an image of the entire setup.
(Right) The results of the portrait setup above -- straightforward lighting, as the client requested.

(Below) Sarah carries the gear at a news event on the Mall with celebrity soccer player Mia Hamm, who is talking to kids about better exercise and activities.



(Left) Sarah holds the light at the first Assistant, Talley Lach, holds a scrim during a portrait session atop a rooftop in Washington DC for the cover of a publication.

 

(Below) Sarah and Don stand off to the side during a lighting test with Rep. Bernie Sanders, of Vermont. Rep. Sanders was being honored as the politician of the year by Library Journal, and was to appear on the cover of the magazine.



(Right) Sarah and Don stand in for the second of two lighting setups for the above photo shoot for Library Journal.



   
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