Photographer of the Week – Steve Chesler September 3, 2007

It is our honor to introduce this week’s Photographer of the Week, Steve Chesler. Read his interesting and informative answers to my many questions!

Where do you live?
I live in Canandaigua, New York in the Finger Lakes about 35 miles south east of
Rochester. I have been in Canandaigua since 1995 after moving here from the New York City area. I came to Western New York from Long Island in 1988 to go to school at SUNY
Brockport. I initially attended Brockport for their Meteorology and Hockey programs and
graduated with a degree in Studio Art Photography.

How long have you been shooting?
I got my first camera for Christmas in 1988. I began taking photography classes at
Brockport and became the Photo Editor for the college newspaper shortly after. Soon after
that, I began working at a local camera shop and started shooting weddings with my
manager there.

Favorite place to shoot?
I have several places I love shooting. I love the urban look during a wedding to
contradict the elegance of the day. One of my favorite places to shoot is at the legal
graffiti wall in Rochester. The attached Trass the Dress Session was done there and a
videographer and reporter from the Rochester ABC affiliate did a story on the session as
well. You can view the news story at
videoId=185241@video.wokr13.com” target=”_blank”>http://www.13wham.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoId=185241@video.wokr13.com.

How would you describe your style?
The best way to describe my style is Romanticism. I love to show the emotion and romanceof the day, but at the same time, make the best use of the time we have, so we do
casually fun poses. The moments between the poses are when we get some amazing photos of the couple just being with each other and enjoying their day. The enhancements we do in Photoshop afterwards complete the look.

Best part of being a wedding photographer?
We run a looping slideshow at the reception with edited photos from earlier in the day.
The reactions we get from the couple and the guests is very satisfying. When they leave
their wedding with peace of mind that they have some awesome photos it completely changes the relationship from photographer/client to friends.

Would you trash your tux?
In a minute. I am not a big fan of wearing a tux.

What advice do you have for future brides?
Don’t sweat the small stuff. Taking the little glitches in stride allows for the love and
emotion to show through in the photos instead of the stress of all the details.

What advice do you have for other photographers?
I can’t stress enough the importance of continuing education. Join your local and state
photography organizations. Go to their meetings and seminars. Go to PPA and WPPI every year. The friends and inspiration you will come away with year after year is incredible.

I have never…
…been willing to settle for a 9-5 job. I knew since I was young I wanted to be my own
boss and be responsible for my own success. Photography found me and was the perfect fit
to express myself.

I’m looking forward…
…traveling the world shooting destination weddings. I just returned from Mexico City to
photograph an amazing couple. I can honestly say I have family in Mexico now, not just
clients.

I would like to meet…
…NASCAR driver Bill Elliott. I have been a fan of his since I was 13 years old and he
was on the verge of exploding on to the NASCAR scene. I have had many opportunities to
photograph him on the track but I have never been able to meet him.

I’m addicted to…
…fishing. I try and fish at least once a week, whether it’s out on the boat, fly
fishing or ice fishing. My wife wants me to put that I’m addicted to my computer.

Why/How did you decide to go into photography?
I have always enjoyed photography but didn’t consider it a career until I started taking
classes in college.

How do you balance life and work?
If I enjoy what I do 100%, I have trouble differentiating my life and work because the
work doesn’t seem like work.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
I see my life on the same path with increasing destination weddings, and a growing
speaking career on the national level.

Who do you admire?
On a professional level, Yervant has been a great inspiration to me. On a personal level,
my father has been the biggest influence on my life. Although he passed in 2001, he is
still a huge influence on me and I can feel his hands on my shoulders guiding me
throughout my life.

Where do you get your inspiration from?
I get my inspiration from going to conferences and seeing a ton of different
photographers.

Name 3 things you are thankful for…
I’m thankful for my wife, for putting up with my career, my fishing addiction, and my
idiosyncrasies.
I’m thankful for my kids. I have a five-year-old son and a nine-year-old daughter that
mean the world to me.
I am extremely thankful for the time I had in my life to share with my father.

Photography is …
…the most satisfying career I could imagine.

What is the best compliment you have received on your photography?
While the showing the slideshows at the weddings, having brides stand there with there
hands over their mouths unable to speak with tears streaming down their cheeks.

What was the last thing you bought?
My last major purchase was a Fuji S5.

What’s the one thing you want to buy next?
I want to buy a Nikon 70-200mm VR lens. Outside of photography, I have been drooling over
a Mazda Miata for years. I found a 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata online the other night. My
fingers are crossed.

Film or digital?
Full digital since 2003 and not looking back. The thought of shooting a wedding with my
medium format equipment seems archaic.

Recommend a book to read…
…I have been reading some great marketing books recommended by David Jay and Joe Photo.

What is one thing your clients should know about you?
I am always up to try new things that are fun and different.

Any advice for brides trying to decide whether or not to trash the dress?
We can “Trash” the dress as much or as little as they want. It’s just an opportunity for
them to be Queen for a Day again and do some photos in a situation that you wouldn’t
normally do the day of the wedding.

Here are some behind the scene images of Steve while shooting a Trash the Dress session, which was covered by New York’s Channel 13!