Bartko Law Photography Assignment
This corporate assignment was one of the most delightful photography projects of my career. I had total liberty to create images for the growing law firm of Bartko out of San Francisco. This was unusual because law firms rarely think out of the box or spend money on photography.
When I got the call, the marketing consultant said they had seen my corporate photography work for another client and then sought me out to shoot in the same style. They wanted a natural light look and that is what I gave them.
I was initially nervous because they asked me to do a test shoot for them, something no corporate photography client had asked me for before. They flew me to San Francisco and just cut me loose. I found locations worthy of portrait backgrounds with the right natural light. In the case of the top four images, I found a room with large picture windows and a rusted metal wall. Bingo! I kept finding interesting locations.
My greatest fear when shooting portraits in natural light is that I get stuck in a location that has no architecture, suitable backgrounds, or decent light. This never happens when I am shooting industrial photography assignments but It has happened on corporate photography assignments and then I have to pull a rabbit out of my hat. That is too much pressure when the client is paying full freight. I got lucky every step of the way.
Maybe, it was all those challenging assignments in the past that allowed me to visualize images so easily now.
The following week, they sent me to their offices in New York for two days and back to San Francisco for three days to shoot a total of about 70 attorneys. Perhaps, it is because I am older now, but I find beauty in most people. The Bartko group was no exception, though these particular attorneys were all really interesting, authentic, and engaging people and I just clicked with everybody. This allowed me to get great moments during the portrait sessions. It seemed like all the stars aligned for this corporate photography assignment.
Also unusual, was that I was in direct contact with the managing partners the whole time. This never happens and I took it as a sign of their investment in the process.
The assignment was amazing, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work to my full capacity and be appreciated for what I do. I am grateful for my career and the clients who help me make it.
