Blog | Patrick Rogers Photography

Aug 03
Why I Do What I Do

I have chosen to work outside of a studio because I want to capture those genuine interactions that you share on a daily basis. Memories are created on your couch where the Tickle Monster is most prone to attack, at the breakfast table where your little one gives themselves an ice cream facial, or in the park down the block where you go for a walk every weekend (and where your spouse finally got up the courage to propose). It is those moments I want to help you treasure in the years to come.

Another reason why I like to come to your home, or meet you at your favorite park, or join you for a stroll along Tremont St. is because these are familiar locations, and more importantly, that you won’t feel like you have to perform for the camera. Too often, people in front of the lights, in a photographer’s studio they have never been to before, either tense up because this is a unfamiliar situation, or are ebullient, turning into a hyper version of themselves because they feel the need to perform. In a studio, people are not being genuine, and that’s not what I want in your photos.

When I was living in Olympia, WA, I was an assistant to a wedding and portrait photographer for two seasons. He did a great job crafting the light in the studio. The shots he produced were consistent, and looked great in the wedding albums he created, but I rarely got a sense of personality from the subjects he photographed. He had a formula, and he stuck with it. To him, all engagement photo sessions happened at Tumwater Falls, and all formal wedding photos were shot against the same purple background. He posed every bride in one specific way, positioned the parents in the exact same spot for every wedding, and followed his formula that he has used for the past 20+ years.

After working with him, I knew that I did not want to be a photographer who follows any formula. I want the personality of families or couples to provide substance and depth of emotion to the photos, and I want to talk with you to determine your favorite places, then go there to have our photo session. I want your home, your life, and the love you feel to shine through. Years from now, when you look back on these photos, the laughs that come with them, the love that is evident in them, will be felt across generations.

Jul 29
The Craft of Rolling a Cigar

I photographed a wedding a few weeks ago where they hired a skilled roller of some exquisite cigars from Boston Cigar Factory

There is something about photographing people who work with their hands that delights me to no end. They are focused, dedicated to their work, and serious about their craft.

Craft…

That is a word that carries a lot of weight, as does craftsman (meaning that in a gender neutral way). To me, it implies a higher calling. Something that one was meant to do, perhaps was even made for. When skilled hands join with the right tools… Magic happens.

This woman was certainly skilled at her craft, and I definitely enjoyed not only partaking in one of those cigars, but in watching her work. I could have sat there for hours, completely entranced.

Jul 29
Sudbury Truck Day!

It’s been over a week since the Goodnow Library hosted Sudbury’s Truck Day, but I can’t stop thinking about it! I mean, how often can little kids (and the little kids inside all of us) sit in a bulldozer and play with the controls, or talk to a fireman about how exciting their job is, or sit in a police car (without handcuffs on, that is)?!
It was so much fun not only to be there (I volunteered my photographic services, as well as helped with parking), but to see the excitement on all the kid’s faces!
I was really happy with several of the photos (very few of which I have posted here, out of respect to the privacy of the families), and I am already looking forward to next year!!

Jul 29
Smartphone Apps For Kids

When I was back home in Cincinnati visiting the family over the 4th of July weekend, my sister in law lamented that she wished she knew more good apps for her 2 year old and 10 year old (my niece and nephew, of course). She has some favorites, of course, but just wished she had more. So, I put out a request to folks through my facebook page, and asked friends what their kids’ favorites were.

Carrie and I felt it our duty (strictly for professional reasons and in the interest of providing you with knowledgeable recommendations) to try these out, and oh boy, the giggles that ensued!! Professional, informed giggles, that is. 🙂

The best thing about trying these out is that I used one on a recent family session. There is one little girl who, despite me having photographed her many times, never really opened up to me. Her mom is one of the people who told me her favorite apps. So, without looking at the little girl, I sat on the floor and started playing one of her favorite apps. Over about 5 minutes, I went from playing it in my hand to playing it on the floor at arm’s length, and she went from hiding behind mom’s legs in the corner of the room to sitting next to me, playing along, and really interacting with me!

So, here are the apps I was told about (note: all the links here are to the itunes store’s listing of the app):

Educational games:

Monkey Preschool Lunchbox: Learn and have fun by helping monkeys pack lunch! Monkey Preschool Lunchbox is a collection of six exciting educational games for your preschooler (ages 2 to 5)
Peekaboo Wild: An app for learning the names of animals
Lingu-Pingu– Language learning app for preschoolers.
The First Words games (animals, vehicles, at home, etc.), geared to helping your little one learn to spell.
Matching Zoo: a fun matching game that makes all kinds of funny animal sounds (the turtle says “Hello!”). I have been playing this one for weeks!

Fun Games:

Two of the puzzle games that my 10 year old nephew really likes are The World of Goo and Cut the Rope. And of course, there’s Angry Birds!
Then there are these two apps that repeat what you say in a silly voice, Talking Carl and Talking Tom Cat.This suggestion came in from a couple of different folks who said their kids couldn’t get enough of them, and the Talking Tom Cat one gives you the option of petting a cat and making it purr! 🙂
Another one that my nephew likes (and that my wife can’t get enough of) is Doodlejump.
Lastly, there is Dropophone, an app that helps you make songs that sound like drips and drops falling on a tiny orchestra of instruments. It’s based on Lullatone’s album “Little Songs About Raindrops.” This is one I don’t think I would get tired of. The melodies you make are very pleasant, and even somewhat calming.

If you don’t want to get any of these apps, one mom reminded me that her daughter’s all time favorite thing to do on the iPhone is to look at all the photos mom and dad took of her on the camera roll!

Jul 20
Sneak Peek–We’re Going to the WEEEE!!!

Douglas is a genius! I met him and his family last weekend, where I was asked to photograph the family spending time together in the morning (where he was ecstatic to show off his new “Big Boy” bed!), then we planned walk down to the place with the swings and slides and stuff. Most of us refer to this as a park, but Douglas, in his wisdom, refers to it more appropriately as a “Weeee!”
I propose we take his lead, what do you say?! Everyone should call it a Weee! I mean, it’s so much fun, right?!
I love going to the Weee! with kids like Douglas! He had so much fun swinging and sliding and playing with his dad. Hopefully next time, we can go in the morning or in the evening when it’s not so hot.
This is just a sneak peek, the rest of the photos will be done and posted soon.