DWF – Let’s start off with a little bio, tell us a little bit about yourself.
JAY – I’ve been an avid photographer my entire adult life though I’ve only been earning a living at it for the last six years. Prior to working full time as a portrait and wedding photographer I was a pilot in the Air Force and after that a full time climbing guide. For fun I like to go climbing, surfing, biking, mountain biking, backcountry skiing, and I used to do a lot of paragliding when I lived in Europe. I get as big a thrill going after a great series of wedding images or portraits as I get from doing any of these other activities and for me the photography is the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. After more than five years photographing weddings I still have more butterflies before a wedding than I would have before doing most of the other things I’m interested in. I’m not sure what that says about me. Maybe it means that when covering a wedding feels like just another day on the job it will be time to move on. I don’t see that happening anytime soon, there’s so much more to learn and do.
I’ve been married to my wife, Vicki, for 25 years now and she is my partner and assistant at every wedding and most other events we cover. Without her, the kind of work we create at Philbrick Photography wouldn’t be possible. I know this is true because she tells me so all the time.
DWF – How did you become a wedding photographer?
JAY – I got into wedding photography the same way I think a lot of people did. Someone close to me asked me to photograph his wedding. I tried to refuse initially but the couple insisted, so finally I gave in and reluctantly I went for it. I charged the amount that I thought I would spend on the additional gear I needed. The only people who made any money from that wedding were the folks at B&H! We had plenty of time to prepare and I’m still very happy with the images from that first wedding. After that I was hooked. I found wedding photography to be incredibly challenging and rewarding and still do.
DWF- Who or what inspires you as an artist?
JAY – I’m inspired by a number of things when I work. I always do the best I can for a couple. But when I’m really inspired by a couple, I think I get my best work. When they open up to me and allow me to really go for it, I’m at my best. Most couples that hire me aren’t just filling in the wedding photography square in their checklist. The more excited they are about their images, the more time they give me, the more likely I am to be developing unique concepts. For the first time this season I have several couples that have hired me to do engagement or day-after sessions because I wasn’t available on the date of their wedding. This sort of commitment really gets my creative juices flowing.
Anyone who hasn’t spent some time with David Williams should do so. I’ve been inspired and influenced by many photographers but David completely changed the way I look not just at weddings photography but also at all my photography. After an Almost Alone seminar with David I had him all to myself for a couple days. I learned a ton but more importantly my whole approach to wedding photography was changed. David has inspired me like no other. I’ve just been informed that my wife, Vicki, has been my greatest inspiration, so disregard what I said about David. Did I mention in my bio that I’ve been happily married for 25 years?
DWF- If we needed a photographer today why would we book you? What makes you unique?
JAY – I love contrasts; beauty against decay, dark against light, and so on. I love surprises so I often try to incorporate those into my work. I love exploring. So I’m always running around venues looking for places that might more suit my style better than the more well known places. I do this not to be different but in the hopes of finding a hidden gem. The couples that book me do so because something in my work has struck them as being just a little beyond the norm and they get the impression that I’m not at their wedding just to make a buck. I think I get booked for my attitude and enthusiasm.
DWF- If you had to pick a favorite “Tool of the Trade” what would it be? and why?
JAY – I have a couple favorites, my Fuji S5s (thank you, David) and Photoshop. Some day I’ll have to get some D3s or 700s or whatever comes next, but right now I can’t live without the dynamic range of my Fujis. The auto white balance and color keeps me very happy as well. All these things help to allow me to continue shooting and processing the way I do. I heavily process many of my images so I’m somewhat of a Photoshop freak as well and really enjoy working with it. Upon further reflection, I guess an assistant could be considered a tool of the trade. Without the support and inspiration of my loving wife of 25 years I would be unable to complete a single wedding.
DWF – Care to share your favorite photographs?
JAY – …….
DWF – How about some final words to live by?
JAY – I think if you’re going to be any good at anything you have to love doing it. I mean really love doing it, so that the tremendous amount of time and effort that you’re required to put into it isn’t a burden. And by the way, I feel very lucky at this point in my life to be doing what I love with the one I love. Vicki didn’t make me say that.
Location – North Conway, NH
Business Name – Philbrick Photography
Years in Business - 6
Website – www.philbrickphoto.com
Blog – www.philbrickphoto.com/RecentEvents.htm
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1 Comment at "DWF Featured Member Jay Philbrick"
Jay the photo on the cliff is ROCKING! Amazing work.
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