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Weddings
About Derek Goodwin
Hello and thanks for visiting my web site! I started my photography business here in Northampton, Massachusetts in 2000. I have been photographing an average of 30 weddings a year in and around Western Massachusetts since then. I also travel to New York City, Boston, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, and many other locations to do weddings and other events.
In 1995 I earned a BFA (with High Honors) in Photography from the renown Photography Department at Rochester Institute of Technology. It was there that I first became interested in the possibilities of using the computer to work with photographs. Back then digital cameras were pretty much just a dream, but Photoshop 2.5 was out and I spent lots f time scanning negatives and playing with the images on plain beige Macintosh computers that were about as fast as medicated turtles. As Photoshop and computer speeds rapidly evolved so did my abilities to use the software. In 1996 I took a certificate course in computer multimedia and learned graphic and web design as well as more advanced Photoshop techniques. I mark 2003 as the year that reasonably priced professional digital SLR cameras surpassed 35mm film in image quality, and it was that year that I began integrating digital photography into my wedding and portrait work. By 2004 I was shooting completely digitally. Because I had been working with Photoshop for almost 10 years at that point I had a much easier transition than most photographers.
Of course none of this would matter if my photography skills weren't up to par. I have become known for my candid work, which is popularly described as the 'photojournalist' style. I prefer to call my style 'documentary photography with a fine art edge'. Ninety percent of what I do is capturing little moments when there is emotion, a beautiful mood, unique lighting and form, or some other element that makes for a beautiful photograph. To achieve the best results I become tuned in to the moment, to the subtle nuances of what is going on around me. I use my training in fine art to bring out what isn't always obvious, and to create interesting compositions.
The other ten percent of what I do is posing individuals and groups for portraits. I am well versed at setting up the traditional poses that most people associate with commercial wedding and portrait photography, having apprenticed with several 'traditional' photographers. I find that these types of poses are wonderful and serve their purpose perfectly in many situations. I also enjoy creating more casual poses that work with visual elements at the location of the portrait shoot. For this reason I typically like to photograph portrait sessions outdoors or in people's natural environments.
The personality of the photographer is another aspect of the equation that makes the difference between beautiful photographs and photographs that look overly posed. I have often been called 'a calming presence' and 'a joy to work with'. I cannot remember the last wedding when someone has not come up to me and told me what a great job I was doing. I tune in to the energy of the events I photograph and add to them my own sense of joy and playfulness. At weddings the bride and groom are blissfully unaware of many of the photos I take until they see their photos for the first time and are brought back to the special moments I capture. In portrait photography I am playful and put the subjects at ease. People can not photograph well if they are nervous or annoyed!
I hope the photographs on this web site will move you. The 'focus' of my commercial work has always been people, which is where my passion is. I began my business documenting weddings, but as time goes by I find more and more people coming to me for portraits, modeling portfolios, head shots, band photography and more. I am very flattered by this as well as the wonderful compliments that I get from people who have worked with me. I would like to thank all of you for that; I could not have become a great portrait photographer without you! I look forward to meeting more amazing people as I continue to evolve as a photographer. Please feel free to contact me with any questions about my work!
