This month I am honored to feature Ada L. Stevens, Photographer at SnapHappy Photos, Inc. for our SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW.
Q: Thanks for taking the time to sit with us, Ada. First off, please tell our readers a little about you and SnapHappy Photos.
A: Thanks for having me Elina. We are a wife and husband team of professional photographers. I opened SnapHappy Photos in November 2007 and my husband, Doug, joined me full time 5 years ago. We specialize in Event photography, Business Portraits and Architectural photography. Events include both Social events, like Weddings, Anniversary Parties, Bat & Bat Mitzvahs Baptisms, Birthday parties, and Corporate events, such as Ribbon-Cuttings, Grand Openings, Seminars, Awards Ceremonies and multi-day conventions. With Business Portraits, we bring the Studio to you, saving you the hassle of fighting traffic or waiting in a Studio. We also offer Head Shot specials, nearly every month, and reduced pricing when you have 6 or more people needing head shots. With Architectural Photos, Doug does both interiors and exteriors, working with developers, general contractors, architects, interior designers and others needing clear, sharp photos to show off their properties.
Q: How did you get started?
A: After a year of being married, Doug gave me a high-end camera. Excited with my new gift, I joined the Kendall Camera Club, where I received excellent mentoring from experts in photography and Photoshop. I became an avid student and developed my skills, working alongside these experts, regularly attending seminars with nationally known photographers. My total immersion and passion for photography was evident to Doug, and he suggested I go professional, which I did in November 2007. The company name, “SnapHappy” came from my daughter describing her mom’s behavior, and it stuck!
While Doug was always helping out as second photographer, he decided to join me full time in February 2012. He covers Events along with me or on his own, but his passion is with Architectural Photography. He uses several methods for capturing the sharpest and clearest photos of interiors and exteriors of buildings, including a variety of techniques to ensure the highest quality representation of the subject. The goal of the architect is to elicit an emotion. Doug’s goal is to capture that emotion with every photo.
Q: What experience do you have?
A: I’ve been the BNI (Business Network International) Miami Regional Events photographer since 2009. I’ve has covered more than a hundred events with this organization. Additionally, and together with Doug, we have been the Corporate photographers for several business organizations, including the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau. We have done thousands of head shots over the years, with both indoor and outdoor settings, group photos and action shots. Doug has photographed several banks, restaurants and most recently UHealth’s Lennar Foundation building, which has led to more projects for UHealth. Some of his work has been featured in Forbes Magazine and other publications.
Q: Who needs your services?
A: Anyone who is trying to brand themselves and appreciates the need for quality photos, should consider hiring SnapHappy Photos. Our main goal is to provide you with images to market your company and you as a professional. We will deliver great quality images that will reflect the quality of your business.
Q: How should one choose a photographer?
A: A great camera does NOT guarantee good photos. Consider all the factors that need to come together.
Number 1 is experience. SnapHappy Photos has nearly 10 years of experience capturing events, retelling the story of the event, so that you and your attendees can relive the event through beautiful images. We are flexible and adapt. We have photographed thousands of head shots and bring the Studio, complete with lights, portable background and the right professional camera equipment.
Secondly, what is the quality of the images? Look closely at the images a photographer displays. Cell phones can work for fun shots on Social media, but we highly recommend that you do not use a cell phone photo for your website.
Doug and I shoot in Camera Raw, which contains all information the sensor gathers. Then we edit each image before rendering a jpg, rather than relying on the tiny brain in the camera, to decide on a variety of adjustments.
Thirdly, ask about the reliability. Doug and I take our jobs very seriously, always planning each shoot ahead of time, often visiting venues beforehand. We use the highest quality professional cameras, along with the highest quality lenses. We will interact appropriately with you and your guests at all times, going about unobtrusively, being friendly and getting everyone to relax and show their best smiles. We pride ourselves on being prompt and often early for appointments.
Q: How do our subscribers contact you if they want to learn more or have questions about your services?
A: You can email me at Ada@snaphappyphotos.com or contact her by phone at 786-449-7396. I am fully bi-lingual in English and Spanish, also speaking a little French and Italian. You can also visit our website, SnapHappyPhotos.com, to see samples of our work. We also have a sister site, Client Galleries, where we display hundreds of photos of our corporate work, including work for many non-profits and charities.
Thank you, Ada, for sharing your knowledge with our subscribers. This is Elina signing off until next month’s spotlight interview. Have a great month!