Perez Studios

I think the big toy store company put it best with their catchy song about never wanting to grow up…That is the way we should always live our lives.  Sure, there has to be time to work and be professional but trust me when Jesus says, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” (Luke 18:15-17 ESV)

So I urge you all to find the kid in you and let them out for a little while.  You will see it is a lot of fun to have with the kids around.  The kids will even think you are great because you a big kid and that is what truly makes a child’s day!

Thanks for reading!

Semper Fidelis,

Manuel Perez

Today I have the privilege of interviewing the amazing talented Jill Carmel.  Jill, I really want to thank you on behalf of myself and all the readers out there for doing the interview. 

Perez Studios: When did you decide to become a photographer?
Jill Carmel: I decided to become a photographer when I was 19 and had to choose between becoming a scientist or an artist.
Perez Studios: What does photography mean to you?
Jill Carmel: I believe artists have place in this world – to make it a better place to be through aesthetics or to raise awareness. For me, I’ve found that I can make people lives better and put smiles on their faces through my work.
Perez Studios: How technical is your photography?
Jill Carmel: It is very technical, but I’ve been doing it so long now (nine years) that everything comes almost automatically at this point. I’ve got my technique really dialed in for the look that I love.
Perez Studios: How do you feel about cropping?
Jill Carmel: Cropping is a lot of fun and can completely change an image based on where you want to draw the eye.
Perez Studios: Define the word "beauty"!
Jill Carmel: For me, beauty is that quality that makes you lose yourself for a moment in how good something makes you feel.
Perez Studios: How does your personality change when you look through the camera?
Jill Carmel: Something in me clicks on and I am completely concentrated on what I’m photographing.  I lose myself in the moment and forget about everything other than the subject in front of me.
Perez Studios: Who are your influences?
Jill Carmel: There are too many to mention. I gather inspiration from other photographers, magazine, clothing catalogues, design blogs, people, nature…if I see it and it makes something in my head click, I go with it.

Perez Studios: What are the biggest personal or professional challenges you face on a daily basis?
Jill Carmel: Always being better than yesterday.
Perez Studios: What has been the single biggest obstacle against growing as a photographer in whole? Jill Carmel: Fighting my own fears, but this is also the most exciting part about being an artist.
Perez Studios: What are your favorite subjects to photograph?
Jill Carmel: People
Perez Studios: Do you ever have photographer’s block and if yes how do you deal with it?
Jill Carmel: I look around me on the web, outside, in magazines until something catches my eye and I try to recreate it. By the time I’m done “recreating” it, it’s usually turned into something completely different from the original thing that I saw.
Perez Studios: What types of assignments are you attracted most?
Jill Carmel: Ones with love and interaction. My favorite moments are the “in-between” moments.
Perez Studios: Do you think of yourself as an artist and what do you think of the word artist?
Jill Carmel: Yes. An artist is someone who works to uplift the society through aesthetics.
Perez Studios: How do you describe your photographic style?
Jill Carmel: Fresh, bright, simple and intimate.
Perez Studios: What has been the most surprising or most predictable reaction to your photographs?
Jill Carmel: Crying…

Perez Studios: What would you have done differently during your photography career so far and could this be an advice to others?
Jill Carmel: I would have had more confidence in myself in the beginning.
Perez Studios: What are your thoughts on the paparazzi and their effects on photographers and photography?
Jill Carmel: They are not artists (per my own definition) so they are not relevant to the world of the art of photography.
Perez Studios: How do you feel about digital manipulation and to what extent do you utilize it? Jill Carmel: I think it’s wonderful because straight out of the camera images do not represent what I see out of my own eyes. I use Photoshop in such a way as to bring pictures back up to what I with my own eyes.
Perez Studios: What other thoughts would you like to share?
Jill Carmel: The more artists there are in this world, the better and I whole-heartedly admire anyone who has the courage to embrace the artist inside of them.

Visit Jill Carmel’s websites:

http://www.jillcarmel.com

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sacramento-CA/Jill-Carmel-Photography/115606608078

Twitter: http://twitter.com/jillcarmel

Blog: http://jillcarmel.typepad.com

I didn’t get too much feedback on the interviews so I went out on a limb and emailed a bunch of photographers that I follow around on facebook and twitter.  A couple of them responded that they were interested.  I am glad to say that I should have an interview to start off the April month with.  I will keep it a surprise who the photographer is but trust me you will love it.  I am waiting on a couple more responses from some other photographers that are still filling out the questions.  I plan on seeing how it goes and that way we could probably get a new interview every two weeks or maybe more. 

If you are interested in doing the interview then fill out the questions and email them to me. 

As for events….I have a big job lined up for next month.  The local Cal Ripken Little League agreed to allow me to photograph the team portraits for their program this year.  I am excited because I had always done the Police Activities League’s Soccer portraits for a couple of years and just last year I got to photograph the Firebaugh Area Swim Team for their team portraits.  Things are starting to look good this year.  I just hope I will be able to keep up with all the events going on. 

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share.

Thanks for reading.

Sincerely,

Manuel Perez

A couple of months ago I did a post about the village life in Honduras. http://perezstudios.com/travel/villagelife  Our church is planning on going again and I was thinking of putting together some things for them to take with them.  I know they need money and was thinking that would be perfect but how do you go about getting people to trust you on the internet?  When I came back from Honduras I had some of my photos for sale and the proceeds went to the family in the photo.  I only made about $100 and thought I could try it again and see what I could get. 

If anyone is interested in helping out with the people in Honduras then let me know and I can take donations of any kind and make sure they get them.  If you have any questions please feel free to let me know and I will try my best to answer them.

I was listening on the radio and heard about a man who was eating a Chipotle burrito everyday for every meal for one week.  I was thinking of doing something similar to that but couldn’t come up with any ideas other than pizza or tacos.  Would anyone sponsor me or be interested in that idea?  Let me know.  Thanks again and God Bless!