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Photography now and forever {Photographer Michael Tortorich}

June 27, 2013 • Leave a Comment

The following is a real-life conversation that could have been overheard at a local restaurant on a recent evening...

"So, I hear you're a photographer," asks a middle-aged man who knows of me, but doesn't really know me, as I sift through my fajita plate.

"Yeah, that's right," I reply, putting on a crooked smile, and frantically thinking of what to add to such a brief response.

A puzzled look comes over his face. After a pause, he collects his thoughts in order to choose his words wisely.

"That's, um, all you do?" he asks in a quieter tone.

"Basically," I answer, hoping my short replies aren't taken the wrong way. I mean, I could ramble off all of the other freelance work I do, but it'll only come off as nervous chatter.

He stops and thinks even harder.

"That's...that's good," he concludes, as if I had just said in code that I was unemployed and things aren't exactly looking up.

Awkward conversations such as the preceding cringe-fest hint at the profession of photographer in 2013, at least in much of the public mindset.

Sometimes I wonder if the general consensus is that photographers are meant to go the way of the milkman.

We all carry cameras around with us now. Why do we need such a service?

I argue that we need photographers now more than ever - for the very reason that everyone has a camera on them 24/7.

Everyone has pens, pencils, and writing software, but I haven't noticed a barrage of brilliant writers come forth. If anything, writing has become worse! Have you read some of the incoherent ramblings that fill Facebook?

Technology is great. Yes, it means the crayons have changed, but the people working the crayons haven't.

We still need writers, and we still need photographers. For that matter, we need all manner of hippies, beatniks, and otherwise unsavory characters.

We have Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter, but do we have rebels, rule-breakers, and rapscallions to shake up society?

We need people who have a fire inside them. We need passion. We need knowledge. And we need a little something called hustle.

Technology hasn't rendered such things useless. It's given us all a shiny new megaphone. One that we didn't have in 1983, or 1993, or even necessarily 2003.

For every doomsayer who wants to stick a fork in photography as a career, I can point to many more who are shaking off the shackles of conventional wisdom.

The markets are there, and not just in cities like New York and Los Angeles.

I live in south Louisiana. Where I live isn't exactly convenient to the Interstate corridor that carves through the state's most populated cities, like New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Though I'm roughly an hour drive away from those places, where I'm from is much more Swamp People than it is French Quarter.

I'll admit finding work in the photography field isn't always easy. But every day I put on the proverbial hardhat, and do whatever it takes to put myself out there.

It doesn't matter if they are in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, or Walla Walla, Washington. We're all in the same boat.

I know all too well that it's easy to get discouraged. Read the message boards on photography sites. Chat with others in the field. For crying out loud, a major newspaper recently cut its entire staff of photographers! (I could go on a sermon about how soccer moms with iPhone cameras won't compare to experienced professionals with DSLRs, but that's a topic for another day.)

Even with all of the negatives, I can't help but love photography. There's nothing like being creative, taking shots, and fine-tuning the final product.

I don't even like to call it "work" because it doesn't feel like a laboring process. It's liberating, it's fun, but it's not work. (If you disagree, I have a shovel and a 100-degree day that you may want to try.)

There's just something about the timeless arts. I don't think Van Gogh will ever end up on the trash heap of history. Nor will Elvis. Nor will Ansel Adams.

The times are changing.

The tide is changing.

We didn't lose photography. We are opening a whole new world to it.

About Michael Tortorich {Photographer | Writer | Journalist}

Who is Michael Tortorich? A lifelong resident of the south Louisiana swamplands, his journey as a journalist (with a specific flair for photography) began well before earning a penny for his work. He's a proud LSU graduate, holding a degree in journalism (along with minors in two avid subjects, history and psychology). He has worked full-time positions at two local television stations (in graphics and as a show producer), and as a sports editor of a suburban newspaper. He currently owns and operates Michael Tortorich Photography, LLC. The business provides a wide range of photography services, including event coverage (weddings, parties, sporting events, etc.) and portrait sessions (high school/college seniors, families, children, etc.). He also coordinates social media for the City of Donaldsonville (facebook.com/DonaldsonvilleLA and twitter.com/CityofDville), and contributes to Ascension Parish online news source, The Creole.

For more information, see:

Michael Tortorich on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/tortorich
Michael Tortorich Photography on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MichaelTortorichPhotographyLLC
Michael Tortorich on Twitter - https://twitter.com/MikeTortorich
Michael Tortorich on LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin.com/pub/michael-tortorich/22/35a/a61

Call or text at 225-717-0762.

"I shoot things...with a camera."

The 50% off coupon returns! {Coupon extended through the end of June}

June 05, 2013 • Leave a Comment

Birds gather on the beach in Navarre, Florida during an early June afternoon. Photo by Michael Tortorich.

I recently had the pleasure of shooting photos along the beaches of the Florida Panhandle.

If you are in the southeast (or anywhere on Earth, for that matter), you should check out what the Gulf Coast has to offer. Every time I go there, I discover something new and cool.

Anyway, as a token of my appreciation for everyone who's supported this site, and all of my endeavors, I've decided to extend the 50 percent off coupon through June.

Lots of folks have taken advantage of this super deal. I won't spread the word with another irritating email blast, or by tweeting it on Twitter, or by facebooking it on Facebook (Facebooking is a verb, right?).

Here's the only place you will find the information on this crazy awesome coupon:

1. Find the photos you'd like to buy.

2. Enter the coupon code 50off at checkout (no space between the two).

3. Have your print products sent to your door (or saved to your computer, where applicable).

Thanks again to everyone who's supported this site.

Maybe one of these days I'll get out to the Wild West, and get some photos of bears (at a safe distance, of course).

About Michael Tortorich {Photographer | Writer | Journalist}

For more information, see:

Call or text at 225-717-0762.

"I shoot things...with a camera."

T. Rex wedding photo shows creativity {Baton Rouge photographer Michael Tortorich}

May 30, 2013 • Leave a Comment

Who invited the T. Rex to the wedding?

Baton Rouge area photographer Quinn Miller, an LSU student, conceived the idea to photograph a wedding party running from a fierce dinosaur (Photoshopped into the frame, of course). Photo courtesy Quinn Miller.

You ever had a moment when you asked yourself, "Why didn't I think of that?"

As a photographer, I have those moments often.

When I first saw the above photo of a Tyrannosaurus Rex chasing a wedding party, the thought struck me. It's so cheesy, it's so campy...but it's so good. It makes great use of the beauty surrounding the Myrtles Plantation in St. Francisville. And everyone looks game.

What makes it good is the idea behind it. Nothing more, nothing less.

Technically speaking, it isn't a difficult shot to get. Just line up everyone in the background and have them run to the foreground on some sort of signal. Have them scream and shout the whole time, and it should translate into the final photo.

Snap away to ensure at least one shot will catch everyone playing along, then go back later in Photoshop and slap on the dinosaur.

Easy.

As easy as it may be, it's struck a chord. It's wildly creative. Therefore, it deserves all of the publicity it receives as it spreads like a virus through social media.

About Michael Tortorich {Photographer | Writer | Journalist}

For more information, see:

Call or text at 225-717-0762.

"I shoot things...with a camera."

Play Dirty Adventure Trail Run photos coupon {Baton Rouge photographer Michael Tortorich}

May 29, 2013 • Leave a Comment

Check out all of the photos from the May 18, 2013 Play Dirty Adventure Trail Run at the Baton Rouge Fairgrounds.

The 50% off coupon was such a huge success that it will remain in effect another week!

Just use 50off (no space) when you place an order, now through June 3, 2013.

Our team of photographers captured nearly 4,000 pictures throughout the muddy mayhem.

Get all of the photos at: www.michaeltortorich.com/playdirty

About Michael Tortorich {Photographer | Writer | Journalist}

For more information, see:

Call or text at 225-717-0762.

"I shoot things...with a camera."

COMING SOON | Play Dirty Adventure Trail Run Baton Rouge photos {Photographer Michael Tortorich}

May 08, 2013 • Leave a Comment

Image courtesy Play Dirty Adventure Trail Run

Image courtesy Play Dirty Adventure Trail Run

Michael Tortorich Photography LLC has agreed to be the official photographer for the Play Dirty Adventure Trail Run in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Play Dirty is set for Saturday, May 18, 2013 at the fairgrounds on Airline Highway. It's a sister event to the upcoming New Orleans and Houston events.

The link to all of the pictures will be posted as soon as possible on the Play Dirty Adventure website after the event. It will be distributed via email to all participants as well.

Play Dirty follows a streak of similar events photographed by MTP. Recent shoots have included the Ironman 70.3 triathlon in New Orleans, and the 5K Foam Fest held at Tiki Tubing in Denham Springs, Louisiana.

Both required skilled timing as hundreds of participants were involved in the day-long events.

MTP is currently working out the logistics for the Play Dirty trail run. We are set to have a team of photographers placed strategically throughout the course, in an effort to best cover all of the muddy moments.

For the full gallery from the Play Dirty Baton Rouge event, see: http://www.michaeltortorich.com/playdirty.

Are you going to play dirty? Let us know! We will make sure to get a good shot of you. We will have business cards with the website available at the event.

Michael Tortorich Photography | www.michaeltortorich.com About Michael Tortorich {Photographer | Writer | Journalist}

For more information, see:

Call or text at 225-717-0762.

"I shoot things...with a camera."

Home»Blog

Photography now and forever {Photographer Michael Tortorich}

The 50% off coupon returns! {Coupon extended through the end of June}

T. Rex wedding photo shows creativity {Baton Rouge photographer Michael Tortorich}

Play Dirty Adventure Trail Run photos coupon {Baton Rouge photographer Michael Tortorich}

COMING SOON | Play Dirty Adventure Trail Run Baton Rouge photos {Photographer Michael Tortorich}