How do I introduce a photographer like parker J Pfizer of parkerpfister.com with the kind of portfolio and reputation he has? Preparing for this interview I find I'm in awe of what he's produced… his creativity and skill.

So instead of describing his photography, his awards and achievements, I thought I'd give you a glimpse into his personality.

I received this email from Parker when setting up the interview. I think it's quite revealing. He says…

BTW, most of my serious work is at parkerjpfister.com

My wedding and portrait work is at parkerjphoto.com

You will see the difference I think. LOL

Hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did and walk away with the same message I heard… get inspired and go create your own photography portfolio.

This episode of the Photography Xperiment podcast is sponsored by the super talented digital editors at The Image Salon… more about them in the show and below.

Here’s some of what we cover:

• Why Parker doesn’t see his future in wedding and portrait photography
• Shooting weddings purely for fun
• How Parker makes money from his photography
• Why Parker just doesn’t see weddings & portrait photography as a serious job
• Gaining some perspective for the type of photography you want to shoot
• The importance of separating different photography niches to succeed
• How difficult is it to maintain two entirely different photography websites?
• Will having a fixed number of weddings to shoot in a year affect your pricing?
• Parker’s strategy in accepting the 10 bookings he relies on to survive each year
• Why clients choose Parker to photograph their weddings
• Who are Parker’s clients?
• Who does Parker create his work for?
• What is the true meaning behind Parker’s “constraints photography”?
• How Parker started the body of work that he’s photographing for his serious work
• Working with nude models
• Do artists really need to be tortured to create art?
• How Parker shoots his body of work
• Who gets to see Parker’s photography?
• What usually happens after an idea pops into Parker’s head for his photography projects?
• How Parker finds his models and what he gives in exchange for posing for him
• What’s the right way of finding a model who can pose nude?
• Why Parker thinks boudoir photography is slutty
• The best way to start shooting nude photography
• Is it worth starting a portfolio like Parker has?
• Why Parker prefers to keep his work hidden and away from the public eye
• Why Parker prefers for people to see his art in print in galleries, not mobile phones
• What is Parker most passionate about today?
• How often does Parker shoot?

What is your big takeaway?

Following this interview, I’d love to read your feedback and comments. Was there something from this interview that struck a chord, inspired or motivated you?

Will you take any kind of action after hearing what Parker had to share?

Let me know by leaving your thoughts in the comments below.

I see lines and light and I just want to create just that. That’s all they are to me is this geometric shape that is interesting and it’s kind of the human form but it’s kind of hard too, which the human form isn’t at all – Parker J Pfister

If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Parker or if you just want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them below too.

I shoot weddings for me and I always have – Parker J Pfister

I create for myself and I don’t know why – Parker J Pfister

I am a photographer. I am not a wedding photographer – Parker J Pfister

These are the constraints we put ourselves in that limit our lives – Parker J Pfister

Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:

Parker J Pfister Website

Parker J Pfister Weddings

Parker J Pfister Weddings on Instagram

Parker J Pfister on Instagram

Parker J Pfister Weddings on Facebook

Through the Motions – a film by Parker J Pfister

Transformations – a film by Parker J Pfister

Chris Buck

The Gelatin Silver Process

WPPI: Wedding Photography Association

Good Gallery

You should totally be inspired to go out and create – Parker J Pfister

Equipment

Mamiya RB 67

8×10 Deardorff V8 View Camera

Ring lights

Paper Negatives

Thank you!

Thanks again for listening to the show and thanks to Parker for coming on and experimenting with a new and different format for this photography podcast.

Also, a big thanks to The Image Salon for sponsoring this episode of the podcast and making the show possible. If outsourcing your editing is something you're currently doing or considering, please put the guys at The Image Salon to the test… I think you'll be blown away!

You get one shot at it. That’s it. And so you want to make it perfect – Parker J Pfister

If you have any suggestions, comments or questions about this episode, please be sure to leave them below in the comment section of this post, and if you liked the episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post!

That’s it for me, hope everything is going well for you in life and photography!

Thanks and speak soon

Andrew